There may be a waning of interest in science, in schools, according to
recent TV news. Why? is the question.
Maybe if science is regarded by students as only gimmicky and just facts,
with any career as becoming a backroom boffin, then so what?
But science is knowledge, by definition, of the World of Nature, and this
can inspire an almost religious reverence, when we study astronomy,
biological evolution, and marvels of physics and chemistry.
In infant grades, science should be introduced via Nature Studies, as most
kids have pets, have been to the zoo, or live on farms.
General Science comes next, and only later split into specialised studies,
with Astronomy, Geology, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, as the main
features. You can add Psychology and Anthropology, if time and syllabus
permit.
But overall, and at all times, the Method of Science is the important
thing. This method is that of: hypothesis, data, testing, conclusion,
verification/falsification; with controls, and tentative beliefs. The
Method can be applied to all aspects of human life, and is valuable in
itself.
Television nowadays caters well, with many "wildlife" programs, and, with
advent of Global Warming - "Man's Place in Nature" - which we ignore at our
peril.
But, maybe it's time to bring back Prof. Harry Messell and his boys, with
their Summer School of Science.
As Prof. Julius Sumner Miller would ask - "Why is it so?"

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