hat if you could change not just how much you know, but your actual intelligence? Psychologist Oliver Hill (Virginia State University) says special cognitive training can rewire the way brains work and help kids succeed in math and science. And: Stereotypes affect the way others see us and how we see ourselves. They can also lead to lower test scores. Claude Steele (Stanford University) and Margaret Shih (University of California, Los Angeles) explain that stereotypes about math and science can self-handicap. Plus: Cheryl Talley (Virginia State University) is helping students overcome self-handicapping through things like journaling and text-messages.

Later in the show: A tornado that devastated Fayetteville, Tennessee the week author Clint McCown (Virginia Commonwealth University) was born is the setting for his award-winning novel, Haints. The real-life tornado reached wind speeds up to 260 miles per hour and damaged or destroyed 1,820 buildings. Also: Biologist Wally Smith (University of Virginia College at Wise) fell in love with hiking when he was in high school. Now he and his biology students have created online trail guides for others to explore the beauty of the Appalachian foothills.