William Sanford Nye will be better known as "Bill Nye the Science Guy" for as long as he walks the earth...and for a good many years beyond that, I imagine. His popular and influential children's program of the 1990s put science education front and center in America's living rooms. However, Nye is not happy with the current state of science education in America's classroooms.
For several years, Nye has kept a high profile by appearing in the media and in public as an unofficial ambassador for science education. He was inspired to do this because he laments that falling behind in scientific literacy will cause the nation to fall behind other nations.
"I want to close by reminding everyone what's at stake here. If we abandon all that we've learned...if we abandon the process by which we know it...if we stop looking for the next answer, we in the United States will be outcompeted by other countries, other economies. That would be okay, I guess, but I was born here, I'm a patriot, and so we have to embrace science education. We have to keep science education in science."
That quote comes from his closing remarks in the recent debate that Nye had with Young Earth Creationist Ken Ham, proprietor of the Creation Museum in Petersburg, KY. Nye, in his role as an educator, has decided that it is better to engage with those who disagree with him, in a respectful manner, than it is to simply ignore or humiliate them, as others may be tempted to do.
Though it is long, I encourage you to check out at least part of the debate held this month at the Creation Museum. Though Bill Nye waded into what could be considered hostile waters, he is largely considered to have come out on top in the debate, even among those who may be inclined disagree with him.
No comments:
Post a Comment