I guess if "everyone" simply means students and we are trying to justify
our jobs as teachers then the list presented is reasonable.
If "everyone" also includes the adult population then I don't see the
point of the list presented. Most of my adult friends and acquaintances
do quite well in life knowing none of the items on this list. Most of
their interaction with science is limited to how to operate technology
(i.e. Which button do I push?) or choosing a doctor. I can't imagine a
friend of mine asking me at a party "Hey Bob, what's the difference
between a compound and a mixture?"
I really don't understand why we spend so much time teaching science to
the general population. Please don't respond by saying that it makes
them more responsible citizens and better informed voters. I cannot
remember the last time that my knowledge of physics has in any way
influenced my vote on a political office.
Bob at PC
-----Original Message-----
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
[mailto:phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of Alby
Reid
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 10:27 AM
To: 'Forum for Physics Educators'
Subject: [Phys-l] OFF-TOPIC: Basic scientific literacy
I was having a discussion with a friend and we were trying to come up
with a
list of basic science topics that *everyone* ought to have some basic
understanding of.
I'm interested to hear PHYS-L's thoughts and suggestions about what
ought to
be on this list.
So far (in no particular order):
* Types of Force and Newton's Laws
* Electricity generation
* Electromagnetic spectrum
* Nuclear weapons / Nuclear power
* The structure of matter
* Elements, compounds and mixtures
* Evolution
* The human body and disease
* Ecosystems (micro/macro)