Scientific Literacy:
A Thing of the Past?

Recently, I read an interesting article in Popular Science Magazine about a debate between Bill Nye, well-known science educator, and Ken Ham, the CEO of Answers to Genesis, at the Creation Museum in Kentucky (owned by Answers to Genesis Ministries).¹ This is a religion-based museum that mixes dinosaur exhibits with episodes from the bible. The debate – which took place on February 4, 2014 – discussed whether creationism is an appropriate model to explain today's world. For those of you interested in actually watching the debate, click on reference 2 below.

Scientific Literacy: A Thing of the Past? The fact that this debate even occurred had me wondering about the viability of scientific literacy in the United States. For full disclosure, I don't believe Intelligent Design or any religious-based story explains the creation of the universe. Dinosaurs and humans never coexisted (they disappeared almost 65 million years before Homo sapiens walked the planet), the Earth is not 6,000 years old, and the scientific method is the only way to advance our understanding of the world. I do believe each of us has a right to our individual opinions and religious beliefs, regardless of how I feel about them.

After reading about this controversy, which had a relatively large media storm after the debate, I started wondering about a few things: What is scientific literacy? How does one know if he or she is scientifically literate? What is the state of scientific literacy in the United States?

What is scientific literacy?

The following definition of scientific literacy is applicable to our discussion: "the knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts and processes required for personal decision making, participation in civic and cultural affairs, and economic productivity".⁴ I like this definition, because it has a functional component, ie, What is the purpose of being literate in today's society?

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What does a scientifically literate person look like?

Here is an interesting set of characteristics that is informative.⁵
The scientifically literate person...

	I.	Understands the nature of scientific knowledge.
	II.	Accurately applies appropriate science concepts, principles, laws, and theories in interacting with his universe.
	III.	Uses processes of science in solving problems, making decisions, and furthering his own understanding of the universe.
	IV.	Interacts with the various aspects of his universe in a way that is consistent with the values that underlie science.
	V.	Understands and appreciates the joint enterprises of science and technology and the interrelationship of these with each and with other aspects of society.
	VI.	Has developed a richer, more satisfying, more exciting view of the universe as a result of his science education and continues to extend this education throughout his life.
	VII.	Has developed numerous manipulative skills associated with science and technology.

Is this you? It's probably unlikely that any of us fit all of these characteristics, but if you fit the general profile, then it seems safe to consider yourself scientifically literate. A somewhat less cumbersome – and more fun – way to test yourself is go to the link in reference 6. The Pew Research Center, along with Smithsonian Magazine, conducted a poll of 13 questions in a quiz format. See how you compare with the rest of our country.

What is the State of Scientific Literacy?

Let's boil this down to the simplistic. Every two years, the National Science Foundation performs a survey of science attitudes and knowledge, which includes a ten question survey on physical and biological science knowledge. The results are published in a report to the President of United States.³ Here are a few of the more striking findings:

The average score on the test was 6.5/10. That's 65% correct.
48% of respondents believe humans evolved from earlier species of animals.
26% of respondents did not know the Earth revolves around the sun.

Yes, I just said 1 in 4 Americans don't know the Earth revolves around the sun. Don't believe me? Feel free to read the report – it's available for public consumption online. You think this study perhaps had a small sample size that biased the results? Well...they sampled 2,200 people. Pretty reasonable number if you ask me.

The scientist in me also wants to tell you that percent responses about evolution and the big bang went up significantly when the question was framed with a statement about "theory" rather than "facts." For example, that 48% number I mentioned increased to 72% when the question was phrased as "According to the theory of evolution." This tells me that respondents knew this basic idea, but many of them didn't believe it as being true.

What does this say about science literacy in the United States? It's abysmal. Clearly some of this has to do with beliefs rather than factual knowledge, but even leaving this out, the factual knowledge base is low.

Where does this leave us? To be honest, I'm not sure. I understand the importance of science in all its forms in society, but improving our country's science literacy is a big job. For my wife and I as parents of two children, we'll just have to focus on them to become educated, literate, and contributing members of society. For the rest, I'll leave it up to those better prepared to educate the country than me.

Best wishes,

Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
PRESENT Practice Perfect Editor
[email protected]

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References

Bradley R. Bill Nye Fights Back. Popular Science Magazine, Sept 2014. https://www.popsci.com/article/science/bill-nye-fights-back. Last accessed 9/1/2014.
Bill Nye Debates Ken Ham – HD (Official). February 2014. www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9yQEG7mlTULast accessed 9/1/2014.
National Science Foundation Indicators 2014. Chapter 7 Science and Technology Public Attitudes and Understanding. 2014. https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind14/index.cfm/chapter-7/c7h.htm Last accessed 9/1/2014.
National Science Education Standards. National Academy Press. Washington D.C 1998.
Rubba, P and Anderson, H. Development of an instrument to assess secondary school students' understanding of the nature of scientific knowledge. Science Education. 1978;62(4),449–458.
Do you know more about science and technology than the average American? https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-much-do-americans-know-about-science-27747364/ . Last accessed 9/2/14.