FYI, there is an interesting report from Stanford University with global collaborators on "Science Education in an Age of Misinformation‰?? available to download from
https://sciedandmisinfo.stanford.edu
It appears to have been inspired by concerns about Covid information, but many of their points apply to chemical safety issues as well.
The key point they make is
‰??The current approach in science education has a focus on developing ‰??marginal insiders,‰?? that is, students who have ‰??sat through a long parade of concepts and theories‰?? and have a broad smattering of scientific knowledge. While such knowledge is valuable, too often, the science that confronts us daily lies beyond the limited understanding achieved by formal education. In contrast, given the bounded nature of our knowledge, unless we choose to become a professional scientist, most of us are destined to be outsiders, just as we are to all professions but our own. Education should, therefore, aim to make us ‰??competent outsiders‰?? to professional science. In such a context, then, the question for the competent outsider is, can these claims to know be trusted? In short, is this information, and those who assert it, credible? Making that judgment requires an understanding of science as a social practice.‰??
- Ralph
Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
Environmental Safety Manager
Keene State College
603 358-2859
ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu
---
For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas
Previous post | Top of Page | Next post