What will our children learn at school today – facts or lies?
Some people want our children to learn that a belief is the same as a fact. If a fact does not jibe with their beliefs, then it is “fake.” This thinking jeopardizes America’s future and our children’s well-being. The great advances in America over the last century have come to be because we have embraced science and the scientific method.
America has always been proud of its long history of mathematicians, doctors, geologist, researchers, technology gurus, and scientists who make incredible discoveries. They’ve allowed humans to travel to the moon as well as develop ground-breaking cures. We lead the world in technology, medical procedures, and scientific discoveries.
But in the current political climate, science and verified facts are disregarded when unproven opinions and misinformation are more convenient to support a belief, a political agenda or propaganda.
Proven facts go through the scientific method that includes observations, questions, forming a hypothesis, developing testable predictions, testing the hypothesis/prediction by gathering data, conducting experiments and accepting/rejecting the hypothesis2,3. Before announcing or publishing the results, scientific peers review their method and determine if the experiments are repeatable.
The scientific process may be long and tedious, but necessary. Students need to learn how to determine if a claim is firmly based on evidence, or uses some scientific-sounding phrases to make the conclusions seem real 1,2,4.
When students are not taught science, we all lose. There will be fewer scientists and researchers working to solve the challenges that face us – cures for diseases, clean water, producing enough food, fuel that don’t pollutes the atmosphere, and so many more.
As adults, demand that your child – and that all of the children in America – are taught fundamental principles of science and how to use them. Get involved with your local schools, volunteer to help in the classroom, talk to your child’s teacher, or show children how fun and exciting science is.
Peggy Middendorf Outreach and Recruiting Director CustomED
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