Episode 5 - Rik Bose and the Kern County Education Bubble

After talking to Rik about his journey through science and science competition, Ishaan shifts the discussion to opportunity in Kern County. Ishaan and Rik discussion how Kern County is in a bubble when it comes to competition - we don't really get a chance to compete and learn how other. They focus their discussion on systemic inequality when it comes to science, and how this inequality hurts Kern County students when they leave Bakersfield. While they focus on Kern County Science, this lack of opportunity exists in all fields. After discussing the impact, Rik and Ishaan end it with a discussion of possible solutions to the inequality that exists. It’s a great episode, one that they hopes brings attention to a major issue. 

Ishaan and Rik discuss science competitions that Rik has competed in, placing specicial attention to Rik's past research experiences and pretigious awards. After this, Ishaan and Rik talk about the lack of oppurtunity in Kern County, and how many Kern County students remain isolated from competitors from out of the region. This isolation, caused due to a overall lack of competition and support of science in the County, hurts students later on in life, in both college and careers. After discussing the negative effects on both students, and Kern County on a whole, Rik and Ishaan end it with a discussion of possible solutions to to this problem, and reflect on current, positive intiaives the County is undertaking to increase the oppurtunities available for Kern students. While they focus on Kern County Science, this lack of opportunity exists in all fields. It’s a great episode, one that they hopes brings attention to a major issue that young people face all over our region.