Are you "science literate?" Whatever that means…

According to the National Science Board, Americans are pretty interested in science-- but not all that informed about it. And in our knowledge-based society, the Board adds, this lack of understanding can have implications.

But what does that mean? What don’t people know? What would they like to know? And what difference would it make?

Matt Nisbet, a communications professor at American University, spends his life thinking about how people understand science. In late July, he paid the Exploratorium a two-week visit as part of our Osher Fellowship program, and shared some of his ideas about what it means to be "science literate."

Do YOU know why polarized lenses are better
at shading your eyes?There are different ways of viewing science literacy, Nisbet says. One person might think of it as having practical knowledge that can help our understanding of everyday experiences: "calories" actually mean "energy;" rain is water that once evaporated from the earth; polarized sunglasses work so well because ________ (can you fill in the blank? if not, try the link below). Another person might view "literates" as folks who understand the process of science enough to know why researchers often disagree, and are able to interpret scientists' differing viewpoints. Still another person might say that a scientifically literate citizen is one who understands science in relation to larger, more politicized issues, like climate change or stem cell research, and whose knowledge might therefore affect voting or other societal activities.

Matt pointed us to the National Science Board's annual report on public attitudes and understanding of science and technology. Some of the results cited in this report are fascinating: for example, Americans overwhelmingly say that science makes their lives happier and more comfortable. At the same time, less than half of us know that electrons are smaller than atoms, and even fewer realize that antibiotics don't kill viruses. Is there a conflict in having this trust in science while lacking an understanding of some of its basics?

As someone working at a science education institution, I'm interested to know: What kind of knowledge makes you feel scientifically literate? What role does understanding science play in your life?

P.S. Polarized lenses shade your eyes well because they absorb all light rays except those that are moving in a certain direction. You can see this for yourself by doing a little hands-on investigation with your polarized shades.

Robin Marks is a journalist and science writer who currently serves as a Multimedia Projects Developer for the Exploratorium, a hands-on museum of science, art, and human perception in San Francisco, CA.