Program That Explores Intersection of Science Fiction and Science Fact

Science Trek probes the underlying research to reveal how the Star Trek franchise has inspired science and how scientists today are boldly going beyond what Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry once dreamt, creating an almost unimaginable future for the next generation.

Science Trek is an out-of-this-world program that explores the mutual influence between science fiction and real scientific research. Combining clips from the original Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation with interviews with some of America's leading scientists and researchers, Science Trek provides an en­tertaining guide to the astonishing scientific advances being made in laboratories and universities around the country. PBS and Star Trek icon LeVar Burton host this program, airing on KVIE Public Television channel 6 on December 3 @ 10pm. If you miss this special production, it re-airs December 2 @ 1pm, December 4 @ 11:30pm, and December 8 @ 6pm.

Science Trek viewers meet:

Dr. Howie Choset, whose work in robotics - robotic surgical snakes, to be precise - could transform the way surgery is performed. Have we surpassed Bones' tricorder already?

Dr. Alex Waibel, who has solved the problem of communication in different languages by creating an iPhone app that's a real-time translator.

Dr. Hugh Herr of M.I.T, whose research is a personal mission. When he was 17, he lost both legs below the knee in a climbing accident. His research is called biomechatronics - the integration of human and machine, almost like the Borg.

Dr. Seth Goldstein, who is rewriting rules with a new science called claytronics, the study of developing a new form of programmable matter that may bring the replicator closer to reality.

For more information about this and other PBS programs, visit http://pressroom.pbs.org.

About KVIE Public Television
KVIE Public Television, located in the heart of California's Central Valley, inspires audiences and enriches their lives through engaging programs and educational services. Established in 1959, KVIE serves more than 1.4 million households in the nation's 20th largest television market. With one of the largest geographic signals in the country, KVIE can be viewed in 28 counties through its analog signal, more than 60 cable systems and satellite providers, and in high-definition on KVIE-DT. KVIE actively creates original local programming and is one of the leading producers of public television programming in the country. For more information, visit KVIE's Web site at www.kvie.org.