Why Science Matters

October 2007 Special Sections

Science is in everything we see, use, and do. It explains how the world works and it teaches us to reason, question, test, problem solve, and think creatively. Science is not just for the future researchers, technologists, or engineers of the world—it’s for every child. Parents hold the key to unlocking the world of scientific curiosity and discovery for their children. Luckily, they have very willing participants on the journey. “Every child is naturally scientific,” says Kirsten Ellenbogen, director of evaluation and research in learning at the Science Museum of Minnesota. “Children are born with these innate tendencies for observation and exploration.”

Just watch kids play—their enthusiasm when they add water to the dirt pile in the backyard, their awe at the airplane flying overhead. Their innate desire to explore, inquire, experiment, and invent is the very foundation of science.

Science isn’t contained within the four walls of the classroom, so why should science education be just a classroom activity? By age eighteen, a child will have spent just 9 percent of his life in school, which is all the more reason to make sure science is a priority in and outside of school. Next year, the Minnesota Department of Education will review the state’s science standards with the goal of ensuring that students are science literate when they graduate and with an eye to preparing qualified students to serve the future needs of scientific fields.

Parents can complement this initiative outside of the classroom by encouraging their children to find the science around them, to observe how science touches all facets of their lives. “Usually the things that people think of as science are ‘fancy’ science,” says Rebecca Schatz, who runs The Works, a hands-on museum of science and engineering in Edina. “[Science is] paper, pencils, televisions, phones, basketballs, schools, roads, the family car.”

Kids who are encouraged early and often to spot science in their everyday lives are more likely than not to be interested in science in school. “You’ve got to get kids interested early,” says Kelly Finnerty of The Bakken Museum in Minneapolis. “Once they hit middle school, there are classes they need to take if they want to continue their interest in science. It’s important to work with children so they understand that science is fun, interesting, and for them.”

Even if science doesn’t become their college major, the skills they’ll learn will transcend academic disciplines. “Science helps you develop all sorts of life skills: testing carefully, asking questions, discovering, perseverance, honesty, patience, curiosity, and thoroughness,” Schatz says. “You learn how to describe what you’ve done. Science helps you articulate things very carefully.”

Unfortunately, misconceptions still abound about science and scientists. One myth is that science is dauntingly complex. To lessen the intimidation factor for kids, make science relatable to their lives. Here’s an idea you can use at home: Instead of reciting the stages of a butterfly’s life, explore together the kinds of butterflies that are attracted to your backyard, observe the plants they prefer and how far off the ground they fly.

Another persistent stereotype is that of the white-lab-coated scientist who, more often than not, happens to be white and male. The National Science Foundation reports that women hold 29 percent of jobs in science and engineering, Asians 17 percent, African Americans 4 percent, Hispanics 3 percent, and American Indians less than 1 percent. As these statistics suggest, we still have a long way to go to making the scientific community fully reflect the diversity of our world, but the fact remains that there are thousands of scientists who don’t fit the stereotypical image.

“We need to increase children’s awareness of who does science in our society, as well as the breadth of the scientific field, from biologists to doctors to chemists,” Finnerty says. “All of these jobs are in science, and girls and children of color need to understand that these jobs are possibilities for them.”

Science is indeed everywhere, and for everyone. As you help your children explore the world around them, you’ll be instilling skills and values for life. And having loads of fun along the way.