The scientifically literate person understands the nature of science and scientific knowledge.
Science is both public and private. Science experiences should introduce students to the private and intuitive aspects of scientific inquiry and discovery as well as to the more formal public aspects of science.
The nature of scientific knowledge is such that it is:
Science is based on evidence, developed privately by individuals or groups, that is shared publicly with others. This provides other individuals with the opportunity to attempt to establish the validity and reliability of the evidence.
Example:
Students keep classroom journals of their observations and then share their findings with other members of the class.
Past scientific knowledge should be viewed in its historical context and not be degraded on the basis of present knowledge.
Example:
Selective breeding of corn by the Indian people of North America produced a high quality food plant.
Louis Pasteur discovered the process of heating milk to kill germs. Today, milk is pasteurized.
All branches of science are interrelated.
Example:
The principles of chemistry govern how an animal digests food.
Science is based on evidence which could be obtained by other people working in a different place and at a different time under similar conditions.
Example:
A group of students all perform the same experiment and discover similarities in their results.
Scientific knowledge is based on experimentation or observation.
Example:
Scientists perform experiments and gather data from the things they observe.
A6 probabilistic P(2-8), D(9-12)
Science does not make absolute predictions or explanations.
Example:
A weather forecaster predicts a 20% chance of precipitation tomorrow.
The nature of scientific knowledge and the procedures for generating new scientific knowledge are unique and different from those in other fields of knowledge such as philosophy.
Example:
Science and philosophy use different methods to understand nature.
Scientific knowledge is subject to change. It does not claim to be truth in an absolute and final sense. This does not lessen the value of knowledge for the scientifically literate person.
Example:
As new data become available, theories are modified to encompass the new and the old data. Our views since 1900 of atomic structure have changed considerably for this reason.
A9 human/culture related P(6-9), D(10-12)
Scientific knowledge is a product of humankind. It involves creative imagination. The knowledge is shaped by and from concepts that are a product of culture.
Example:
The use of biotechnology has resulted in changes in rapeseed to remove erucic acid. This has led to the development of improved varieties of canola oil for human consumption.