E.T. Phone Home - Part 3 of 3

Why does it matter? Math and science are closely linked. If we teach in mathematics that the candle example has insufficient information (true); but, teach you can assume information in Science on the same thing (false), all we have accomplished is confusing students. A confused student loses interest in a topic by either deeming the teachers don’t know what they are talking about or swiftly losing interest in the subjects.

Projected out, the increased number of students who do not pursue careers in the science and mathematics fields creates a negative impact on the economic viability of the USA by undermining the intelligence base. Teaching faulty deductive and critical thinking also dilutes the decision making needed in business especially in managerial roles. That leads to handicapping the USA The potential loss of global competitive advantage always comes back as the local areas begin to suffer with job loss, which equates into a lower tax base, which equates into even tighter budgets for the school systems. business sector in an increasingly competitive global market.

What can be done about it? This answer is incredibly simple and easy to implement.

1) Teach Mathematics.

2) Teach Science with a strict adherence to the scientific method.

3) Avoid taking sides in the Evolution/ Creation/ Intelligent Design debates.

4) Cut out/ glue together/ black out with marker any pages that deal with the geologic column, ‘millions of years ago’, or anything on Evolution/ Creation/ or Intelligent Design. Don’t worry about the budgetary impact; ask the community for volunteers who will bring their own supplies.

5) Contact the textbook companies and inform them your school district will not make any textbook purchases that include what you just cut out.

6) Adopt the following stance as your official curriculum stance district wide and demand the textbook companies include this simple paragraph:

“There are numerous opinions on the origins of life on Earth and the origins of the Universe. Since all of the stances involve assumed premises that can neither be tested nor demonstrated in accordance to the scientific method nor proven to be factually accurate, none of them will be covered in the K-12 curriculum of this school district/ textbook.”

That is all it would take. It is that simple. Err on the side of caution. Let the ego’s go. It is perfectly professional to say “There are some things we just do not know due to Insufficient Information.” There is plenty of science to teach that isn’t controversial and does promote critical thinking and decision making. The alternative is not appealing.

ET phoned home on sound logical thinking. The Entertainment Thinking often uses Exaggerated Theories in their depiction of science. Educational Training should avoid Erroneous Thinking by not teaching the Evolutionary Theory. Let E.T. stand for Extra Terrestrial and remain the domain of the movies. It would truly be sad to have a public education system funded by taxpayers challenging Hollywood for promoting poor scientific thinking. Too much is at stake.