Our democratic society is increasingly dependent on science and technology. One goal of the Wisconsin Initiative for Science Literacy (WISL) is to help citizens develop an appreciation of science, the benefits of technology, and the potential risks associated with advances in both. Science literacy will enable us to make informed choices and to reject shams, quackery, unproven conjecture, and to avoid being bamboozled into making foolish decisions where matters of science and technology are concerned as well as all other matters affecting us and our communities.

WISL Senior Editor John Powell will be the election night analyst for Wisconsin Public Radio's coverage of the Wisconsin Spring and Presidential Preference Election. Powell served as state government and political reporter for Wisconsin Public Radio for more than 25 years and is Professor Emeritus of Communication Arts in University of Wisconsin-Extension. Powell has covered every presidential election since 1972. Election night coverage will begin at 8:00 p.m. February 17th on all Wisconsin Public Radio stations. Powell joined the staff of WISL in 2002 after retiring from University Extension.