Tag Archives: science

Art illuminates the beauty of science – and could inspire the next generation of scientists young and old

Art illuminates the beauty of science – and could inspire the next generation of scientists young and old

Scientists have often invited the public to see what they see, using everything from engraved woodblocks to electron microscopes to explore the complexity of the scientific enterprise and the beauty of life. Sharing these visions through illustrations, photography and videos has allowed laypeople to explore a range of discoveries, from new bird species to the inner workings of the human cell. […] … learn more→

How to use the Frankenstein story to teach science

How to use the Frankenstein story to teach science

Is it possible to use a novel written more than 200 years ago as a resource for teaching science? Obviously, our answer is yes. And is it possible to do educational innovation with this same novel? If it is. More than two centuries after its first edition, the novel Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus , by Mary Shelley , continues to be extremely […] … learn more→

Einstein was ‘wrong’, not your science teacher

Einstein was ‘wrong’, not your science teacher

“Your teacher was wrong!” It’s a phrase many a high school or university student has heard. As practising and former science teachers, we have been challenged with this accusation before. Whereas those with advanced science understanding (including the students’ lecturers and high school teachers) may well say their previous teachers were “wrong”, “incomplete” might be […] … learn more→

Why science matters so much in the era of fake news and fallacies

Why science matters so much in the era of fake news and fallacies

Democracy and social progress die without science and fact-based knowledge. Science and facts are the foundational basis for rational and logical disputation and the possibility of reaching some truths. Fake news, on the other hand, is a calculated assault on democratic freedoms. The power of the notion of fake news and of its practitioners is demonstrated […] … learn more→

Dr. Droegemeier goes to Washington? What could happen when a respected scientist joins Trump’s White House

Dr. Droegemeier goes to Washington? What could happen when a respected scientist joins Trump’s White House

Leaders of the scientific community – most of whom are also Democrats – are voicing relief now that the Trump administration has nominated Kelvin Droegemeier to direct the White House Office of Science and Technology. This office has been leaderless since Trump assumed office. Droegemeier, a well-respected meteorologist specializing in severe weather such as thunderstorms, has also served on the advisory board of the U.S. National Science Foundation. He […] … learn more→