Science '101'

Amy Harmon has written a story which appeared on the front page of New York Times 5 Feb 2011 called "It May Be a Sputnik Moment, but Science Fairs Are Lagging".

Here is an excerpt: "But what has been lost, proponents of local science fairs say, is the potential to expose a much broader swath of American teenagers to the scientific process: to test an idea, evaluate evidence, ask a question about how the world works — and perhaps discover how difficult it can be to find an answer." The article is here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/05/us/05science.html?_r=1  (This will open a new tab or window, so you can also stay on this page.)

WTF (W=where) has our education system gone... and why? I believe this downward spiral began a long time ago.

The situation is the same here in the UK. Tests and measurements and league tables stymie creativity. The 'original science' was known as 'alchemy' - which is invention, experiment, pushing boundaries, exploring the unknown; it was the domain of philosophers and thinkers. Perhaps that's why it was banned in some past eras.

I mounted this link on my personal FaceBook page, and it developed quite a lively thread. It would be great to know what you think.


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E.R.'s Recommended Reading:
A Short History of Nearly Everything: Special Illustrated Edition
'nuff said...
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