I recently read an editorial in Science Magazine by Drs. David Asai, Bruce Alberts, and Janet Coffey which argued that college introductory biology courses need to be revamped. While I suspect they are correct, their solution to the problem of a shortage of citizens who understand and respect scientific evidence seemed incomplete.
Why focus on college introductory college biology courses? The authors state because in the United States, nearly a million students enroll in such a course yearly.
But what about the 50.7 million students in American public schools each year from grades K-12? To me, it seems like we need to also focus on science education from kindergarten to high school graduation. What about science curriculum, syllabi, and resources in our nation’s public schools? What about supporting public school teachers? What about ensuring small class sizes and safe schools where students can learn?
If we can revamp pedagogies for science education from K-12, we might have a chance to get over the inertia that is so common in American public schools. Then, students graduating from U.S. high schools might actually be prepared to take a high-level college intro science course.
To do this, America would need a “Science New Deal” led by President Biden. Think of President Kennedy’s moonshot effort in 1962.
The United States has no problem spending trillions of dollars on the military (including nuclear weapons) and wasteful health care. But what about science education for our public schools? Don’t our kids deserve better? Will we speak out or will we stay silent?
What do you think?
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Philip A. Lederer 