{"id":71857,"date":"2022-07-09T17:28:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-09T21:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=71857"},"modified":"2022-07-18T10:34:46","modified_gmt":"2022-07-18T14:34:46","slug":"science-literacy-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/science-literacy-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Increasing Science Literacy: Advice From Carl Sagan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What if the general public were more scientifically aware? What’s the path to get there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In The Demon-Haunted World<\/em>, Carl Sagan shares his concern about science illiteracy, especially in America. He believes that a general public that’s equipped with more knowledge about scientific principles and methods would be a positive force in the world. He outlines two ways to increase science literacy<\/a>: improving science education (including instilling more enthusiasm for science) and increasing funding for scientific research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s take a close look at this advice from Sagan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Carl Sagan on Science Literacy <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A key argument of The Demon-Haunted World <\/em>is that a scientifically literate public will greatly benefit society. Therefore, Sagan argues we must increase awareness and appreciation of science in the education system and in the general public. We can do this by increasing public funding of scientific research, as well as by communicating the discoveries, principles, and wonders of science in the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improving Science Education<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many of the problems we encounter today are a result of a lack of critical and skeptical thinking. Sagan argues that the issues are systemic and begin in the classroom. There will be no single solution to the problems in our education system. It will take an extensive, collective effort to make sure our society is better educated and more scientifically literate.<\/strong> For various reasons, children are often discouraged from learning science, critical thinking, and the application of skepticism. This can lead to a general public with a disinterest, or even distaste, for science. When we don\u2019t teach our children the methods of science, we take away our ability to manage our future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: In The Demon-Haunted World<\/em>, Sagan bemoans the lack of math and science literacy in the United States, especially when compared to other countries. A recent study found that, while the US has improved in math and science proficiency since the book was published, we still lag behind many other countries<\/a>. As recently as 2017, in a test of 71 countries, the United States finished 38th in math and 24th in science.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instilling Enthusiasm for Science<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

According to Sagan, a key first step in improving our scientific education is to encourage a zeal for learning and present science as the awe-inspiring field that it is. To keep students enthused about science, Sagan gives some practical advice: <\/p>\n\n\n\n