RadioNewark is Delaware’s Science Radio Station

By Ken Chisholm and Steven Worden – RadioNewark (WIZU 99.9 FM)

RadioNewark is an internet station, for now, and can be found on iTunes (News), WindowsMedia.com (1st page of news-talk genre), on rad.io app it is the #2 news station behind BBC World Service.  This year, the FCC has granted Newark Community Radio Inc. (the parent company of RadioNewark) a construction permit to build a low power FM radio station that will cover all of Newark, Delaware and surrounding communities.  The internet station will continue broadcasting as it has since 2010, but change its name to “OMNIBUS” radio.  The local broadcast station will be RadioNewark, WIZU 99.9 FM.

Newark has very limited local print media and virtually no video media for advertising.  Local radio is far and away the best return on the advertising dollar; the best “bang for your buck.”   This is the void to be filled by RadioNewark.  Our local broadcast station will cover the Newark demographic and reach the local audience not currently covered by other formats.  RadioNewark will ‘partner’ with those Newark businesses who provide sponsorship of our science programming, with the goal that when a customer’s need for a product or service arises their first thought that comes to mind will be that sponsor.

“What is a science radio station?”  — Science (Latin root scientia) means ‘knowledge’.  Today, it might more mean ‘the pursuit of knowledge.’  RadioNewark brings interesting and educational science content to you in a clear and articulate audio stream that delivers internationally sourced science-related stories and interviews with local brilliant minds.  Stories about space exploration, archaeology, paleontology, climate change, breakthroughs in medicine, chemistry, physics,–you name it.  RadioNewark literally brings this science-based programming to individuals with “a mind for science.”

“How RadioNewark Supports STEM Education” – STEM education is simply the acronym of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  A broader definition as provided by the National Science Teachers Assoc., or NSTA, is:

STEM education is an interdisciplinary approach to learning where rigorous academic concepts are coupled with real-world lessons as students apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in contexts that make connections between school, community, work, and the global enterprise enabling the development of STEM literacy and with it the ability to compete in the new economy.

Radio Newark’s programming offers support and ideas for how to draw connections across disciplines. The programming embodies STEM education for everyone. Story telling is an art, and Radio Newark’s “A Mind for Science” stories aspire to entertain and educate at the same time.  As a nation, we need well-educated citizens in STEM fields. Currently, the “T” and “E” in STEM are rarely taught in K–12 settings. Because of this, few people understand the way in which these fields benefit our society or the variety of careers that support them. By exposing our listeners to STEM topics and the people engaged with them, Radio Newark can help to deepen everyone’s understanding of the world in which we live.

Radio Newark offers short, STEM-focused stories intended to spark the interest of general audiences. We will partner with local schools to expose students to science communication and to provide examples of the many fields of study and possible careers that exist under the umbrella of STEM education. Families can listen together and talk about the topics that interest them. Our website will carry occasional blog posts that accompany some of our “A Mind for Science” stories with pictures, behind-the-scenes details, and additional resources about the topic.