Why is science important?
It's difficult not to notice the renewed emphasis on science and technology these days. Not a week goes by that the media does not discuss how science will impact our lives and how the next generation will need a strong understanding of science to understand and thrive in a rapidly changing world. Pundits have even coined the acronym STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, to emphasize the interconnectedness of these disciplines (although you might also see STEAM, where the Arts are included too). STEM is frequently mentioned by politicians, corporate executives, educational leaders, scientists, and futurists as being critical to all aspects of our future.
But what does all of this mean for someone who isn't a scientist? Is STEM truly that important in our daily lives? Why is science important when there are so many other issues to address? What if you were never a fan of science classes? In a nutshell, why should you care?
Understanding fake news & pseudoscience
Is everyone just making stuff up? Can you guess what it is? Knowledge of scientific processes and discoveries, also known as science literacy, gives you a good chance of determining whether the article you're reading is misleading or outright false. Fake news and pseudoscience have become so pervasive on the internet that we are exposed to it on a daily basis via social media, prompting world leaders to express grave concern about the potential for negative consequences. Some of these fake news articles and videos can be extremely convincing, and it is only through your understanding of how the world works that you can determine whether what you've come across is real or simply made up. If you don't have a background in the field, it's easy to be duped into believing something that isn't true!
The good news is that knowing how to fairly evaluate a given article by checking its sources and comparing it to known & measurable scientific knowledge gives you a good chance of not being misled. Real science involves third-party testing, real scientific knowledge evolves as new discoveries are made, and real science accurately depicts results and cites how these results were obtained. Fake news and pseudoscience articles avoid these points by employing fancy jargon in order to appear scientific. Even if you don't have a background in specific science, having science literacy and knowing what to look for in an article can save you from falling for a scam.
Science makes life easier at home
Science does not have to take place solely in a laboratory! At home, you can apply science in a variety of ways...
Do you want to make the best BBQ sauce ever? Experiment with various recipes!
Not sure which washing powder is irritating your skin? Try out various powders!
Having trouble keeping pests at bay in your garden? Experiment with various control methods!
Do you want to know which fuel is best for your car's economy? Experiment with various fuels!
In the end, science is just a methodical way of thinking. Will you get a different result if you change one thing? The scientific method does not require you to be a scientist to benefit from it. Using science, you may discover new ways to do things at home that will save you time, money, and stress. This way of thinking may also apply to where you work.
Appreciation for the little things
The world is simply incredible! It's easy to go through the motions of daily life without paying attention to what's going on around us.
Those cicadas you hear in the summer could have been dormant in the ground for ten years.
When you gaze up into the night sky, you are looking back in time, because that starlight has traveled a long distance to reach you.
Your weight is changed throughout the ride on roller coasters due to changes in acceleration.
If you look closely at the sunset, you may notice a faint rainbow running across the horizon.
Under a magnifying glass, the complexity of a flower is amazing... and so much more!
We all have a strong appreciation for beauty, but understanding why things happen takes us a step further. There are numerous ways to instill a love of science in your children. You can highlight the small things by going on bushwalks, there are science lessons while baking cakes, you can invest in a digital microscope to examine things up close, and so much more. It's all about cultivating a discovery mindset and a thirst for knowledge that will last a lifetime.
Science drives positive change.
Understanding that science drives positive change is critical, even if you are not personally involved in the discovery process. Supporting agendas that promote scientific reason ensures that the world will be a better place for you and your family now and in the future. Scientists work constantly to discover how the world works and to apply this knowledge for the benefit of all of us, from protecting the environment to improving health outcomes, from developing new materials that enable space travel to understand our ancient history.
Related: 10 Fun Facts About Science & History
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