Science Literacy for the Twenty-First Century [Hardcover]

Judith A. Scheppler (Author), Stephanie P. Marshall (Author), Michael J. Palmisano (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2002

This outstanding collection of essays is authored by eminent scientists and science educators, including Bruce Alberts, Howard Gardner, Margaret Geller, Stephen Jay Gould, George A. Keyworth, Lawrence M. Krauss, Leon Lederman, Sheila Tobias, and James Trefil. It provides suggestions for enhancing science education in the United States and improving the standards of scientific literacy throughout the world. If current trends continue, in the 21st century, new scientific information will probably outpace the level of science education of most of the world's citizens. Nonetheless, all citizens in this increasingly interdependent global community will be called on to face many daunting questions that this knowledge will raise, ranging from the sustainability of our global environment to new moral dilemmas created by such technologies as cloning and recombinant gene therapy. As the world leader in science and technology, the United States, now more than ever, must raise the level of scientific literacy among its citizens to ensure that wise and responsible decisions about the uses and possible misuses of science are made. Unfortunately, our educational system is now suffering from a shortage of science teachers, and many of those already teaching science need to be better qualified. Furthermore, our science curriculum must be designed to teach our children to be conversant with and to think critically about the complex scientific issues they will face as adults. Finally, our high schools need to be in a position to offer all students a world-class science foundation, which prepares them to pursue scientific training at the university level if they so choose.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Without a clear understanding of basic scientific principles, it's impossible to understand, let alone form opinions about, the complex questions raised by bioengineering and global warming, to name just two of many hotly debated science topics, yet science education for American students often fails to provide the conceptual skills and facts they need to participate in science-related discourse and public policies. A shortage of qualified teachers and a lack of imagination in designing teaching techniques that cultivate a "scientific cast of mind" are engendering a dangerously low level of science literacy, but help is on hand. Nobel laureate Leon Lederman is an inspiring champion for the advancement of science literacy, and the catalyst for this unusual collection of forward-looking essays by such distinguished scientists and science educators as Lawrence M. Krauss, Mae C. Jemison, and James Trefil. Many thought-provoking subjects are discussed, including ways to bolster the science curriculum at disadvantaged schools, and the teaching of a "liberal science" that connects our fascination with the natural world to the humanities, and therefore involves ethics, and even beauty. Donna Seaman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"...an informative and very highly recommended collection...an important celebration of scientific education." -- Library Bookwatch

"...an outstanding collection...an important book..." -- Bookviews, April 2003

"This remarkable collection of essays is a 'must read' for anyone interested in science literacy..." -- Quarterly Review of Biology, September 2003

"highly recommended for both public and academic libraries, especially since there are few books [dealing] with these important issues..." -- Counterpoise, October 2003

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 300 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591020204
• ISBN-13: 978-1591020202
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,381,949 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)