Re: [Phys-l] Parents don't see a crisis over science and math

[Jack Uretsky <jlu@hep.anl.gov>]

On Thu, 16 Feb 2006, Rick Tarara wrote:

> Specifically to the article--we have failed, both in math and science, to
> sell the public (meaning our students) on the importance of this knowledge
> and these skills to their successful functioning in the modern world.
> Despite a huge emphasis put on this in my gen-ed course, I still will hear
> the comment (from a few)--I don't need to understand this stuff, I don't
> want to understand this stuff---I just want to use the fruits of science.
______________________________snip________________________________

 [Cases in point are the
> International Space Station and future manned exploration of Mars.  Public
> opinion is negative on both--but the public has been poorly educated as to
> the ultimate benefits of each of these expensive projects to human society.]

	Educated scientific opinion is also opposed (See Bob Parks' 
"What's New" weekly postings) extravagances of the military-industrial
complex.  So the public seems to be ahead of this particular critic.
Also, note, it was the public - the parents - who went after the
schoolboard in the Dover, Pa. cases.  Beware of generalizations, 
especially such facile ones as these, for all generalizations are false
(including this one).
				Regards,
					Jack






--
"Trust me.  I have a lot of experience at this."
		General Custer's unremembered message to his men,
		just before leading them into the Little Big Horn Valley