What does it say about the current state of our schools when people don't know what a scientific theory means?

Question

Maybe you went to private religious schools that don't have science instruction, but what about the rest of you? Are our public schools THAT bad?

Answer 1

According to a recent poll, 25% of adult Americans think that the sun orbits around the earth. (Want to bet on how many of that 25% are Christians?)

It is my assessment (amply confirmed in this forum) that most adult Americans do not even know what critical thinking IS... much less how to actually do it. Unfortunately, public schools in the USA generally do not teach critical thinking. They are designed to create employees... not thinkers. In fact, it is possible to get a college degree without being exposed to the concept of critical thinking... even a SCIENCE degree... albeit one of the 'fuzzy' sciences... not 'hard' science.

We're doomed. One of the best indicators of a lack of critical thinking skills is religious belief. Around 85% of the US population purports to have supernatural, superstittious religious belief... that tells me that around 85% of the population cannot think critically and is, in fact, delusional.

Anything that accounts for 85% of the population is 'normal'. So... insanity is 'normal'... and the inmates are running the asylum.

Answer 2

No. The definitions are taught, but people remember what is relevant to their everyday lives. Not too many people need to know what a scientific theory is to get through their day.

Actually, when you consider it in that context, very little of what we are taught in school is used in everyday life. Notice how they don't teach high school courses in avoiding credit card debt, the importance of diet & exercise, practicing safe sex, how to put together a good resume and prepare for a job interview, how to make a good first impression on a date, etc, etc.

The big failing of our educational system is that we teach CONFORMITY is good. "Do as I say, not as I do." "I'm right because I'm older and I say so." Don't talk, stand in line, follow the leader, pay attention to the bell, etc, etc. We do this to young children at an impressionable age, so that by the time they're old enough to have independent ideas of their own (12-13), they're already too conditioned to obey authority to even think about going against the status quo.

When I was 8-9, I was forced to go to Christian mass, and I always had questions. Was I ever allowed to interrupt the priest and ask? Of course not!!! I had to conform. Imagine sullying the sanctity of a church mass with a question from an inquisitive child! The absurdity!! Blasphemy! Flog that child!!!

What is missing in our world is a lack of critical thinking skills and skepticism, not understanding of theories. When you extinguish the spark of "questioning" at an early age, it's almost never relit later in life.

Nowadays, few people question the "rules" which is why few people understand them.

Answer 3

Our public schools are bad for several reasons:

1. Teachers have no real power over students anymore. If a kid was afraid of getting his @ss paddled by his teacher, he would pay more attention.

2. Because of our current President's religions leanings, solid scientific theory is being thrown out in favor of fundamentalist Christian rhetoric, such as children being taught Creationism instead of Evolution in the state of Kansas.

3. Teachers and parents are afraid of damaging a child's self-esteem, so they no longer hold kids back a grade for being slow or just plain dumb. Children are passed through the grades of school even though they do not have a solid grasp of the material being taught.

4. Educational funding has fallen by the wayside in favor of funding for the war machine, so many schools simply do not have the budgets to buy the newest textbooks or the best supplies for hands-on classes like biology and chemistry.

5. With teachers' salaries being so low compared to how hard their jobs really are, many teachers simply do not care anymore. The ones who do care are often penalized or ostracized for "rocking the boat."

It's just a mess, and it's not getting any better.

Answer 4

No, the schools teach about scientific theory, but then the kids go home and mommy and daddy say the teacher is wrong, the pastor says the teacher is wrong, the Sunday school teacher says the teacher is wrong, and all the other important people in the child's life disagree with the teacher.

How is the educational system supposed to deal with that?

Answer 5

It has become more important to the public schools that the children know how to game a multiple choice test than to know such things as the meaning of "scientific theory." You can thank Bush's "No Child Left Behind" for that.

Answer 6

Yes they are.. there are way to many students for each teacher to handle perhaps because the US government cheap out and wont fund states with more money to raise pay for teachers. Also when they use outdated science books and teachings. I think some of the teachers need to go back to school.

Answer 7

the place have you ever gotten your recommendations. u.s. nevertheless has freedom of speech. That instructor can coach the super Bang, advent and Evolution. individuals this remains america and we nevertheless uphold the form of the u . s . a .. If i desire to stroll throughout the time of the halls of the college asserting "i like Jesus Christ" or "the super Bang theory is super" - that shape protects me. the only way i visit pass to reformatory is that if the college rates me with trespassing or another violation, in spite of if it is easily no longer because of the fact i discussed the super Bang or Jesus Christ or Evolution. lots blood become shed for this FREEDOM and do continuously remember about it. loose Speech is a enjoyed American history. i might in comparison to what human beings say, yet i'm going to combat for the main appropriate for them to assert it.

Answer 8

No, the schools are not that bad at all, its the kids themselves who are. Kids and teens today would rather play with their cell phones, iPods, XBox's, Playstations and get high on prescription drugs they stole from mom and dad than learn. Learning for them is boring and a waste of time.

Answer 9

no, but i went to schools that didn't allow religious influence to interrupt studies. it's the same at berkeley, maybe why it's a great university... i'm bias though.

Answer 10

It has been my experience with my youth group that the schools teach them all of these things, they just don't want to study or listen.