How Science Education Has Failed
Ignorance of the fundamentals of science hurts all of us
It has become increasingly clear that our science education is lacking. From ridiculous conspiracy theories like the insistence the Earth is flat or that vaccines cause autism, to dangerous and discriminatory policies based on outdated or misunderstood science.
What is science?
Let us begin with the basics and define what science, and by extension the scientific method, is.
“Science, any system of knowledge that is concerned with the physical world and its phenomena and that entails unbiased observations and systematic experimentation.” — Encyclopedia Britannica
Science has three branches: physical, biological, and social. Physical sciences include chemistry, geology, physics, and astronomy. Biological sciences include biology, botany, anatomy, and medicine. Social sciences include economics, anthropology, archaeology, and sociology.
For something to be scientifically valid, it needs to be testable through the scientific method.
“Scientific method, mathematical and experimental technique employed in the sciences. More specifically, it is the technique used in the construction and testing of a scientific hypothesis.” — Encyclopedia…
