Science in the White House

September 19, 2016

Writing Arguments

On November 8, 2016, Americans will head to the polls to vote for the next president of the United States. Science World spoke with presidential historian Mike Purdy to discuss the biggest scientific achievements of past presidents. Here are some highlights.

established five national parks and many protected areas, including over 100 million acres of national forests
collected more than 11,000 animal specimens for the Smithsonian Institution on an expedition in Africa
signed a law requiring food and medicines to be tested for safety

proposed landing a person on the moon in 1961; accomplished in 1969 through the Apollo program
negotiated a treaty that banned aboveground nuclear weapons testing to protect people from radiation
created the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to study kids’ health

created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect human health and the environment
established the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to study the sea and atmosphere
signed the Clean Air Act (1970) to reduce air pollution; signed the Endangered Species Act (1973) to protect species at risk of extinction

created the Department of Energy to research clean energy technology
implemented standards for vehicle fuel efficiency to reduce gasoline consumption
authorized the EPA to clean up areas contaminated with toxic waste

Earth Science

Environment

Text-to-Speech