"Our students today have more information at their fingertips than all of the previous generations on this earth combined. This information is just the tip of the iceberg, like the one pictured on the front cover. It is our responsibility to help students recognize that most of the massive strength of science rests underneath the surface in the form of the scientific method. Our science standards emphasize that 'Science is a human activity of systematically seeking natural explanations for what we observe in the world around us.' Much of the general public seems to confuse 'science' with 'science-y,' hence the persistent beliefs in astrology, crystal healing, orgone energy, intelligent design, homeopathy, perpetual motion, UFOlogy, and vitalism."


"We need a citizenry capable of going beyond recitation and recall of seemingly-unrelated factoids; we need today's students to learn the basic way of scientific thinking. When our students are competent in the ways of science, they will be able to distinguish between reliable and unreliable data sources, to differentiate between science and pseudo-science, and to apply critical analysis to the latest breaking science news as interpreted by the popular media. The issues of stem-cell research, evolution education, and global warming are but a few of the hot-button political issues. Eventually, our students need to be able to sort the wheat from the chaff in order to make reasonable, rational decisions regarding public policy."

* In the interests of full disclosure: Paul Adams is my husband.