Malka Niknamfard

Professor Adams

Surrounded by Science- Chapter 4

10/7/13

People are often under the impression that studying science involves isolating oneself from the outside world while reading factually- based textbooks, analyzing data, and conducting experiments. After all, a common stereotype regarding scientists depicts a man or a woman who wears a white coat and secludes him or herself in the science lab and spends the entire day conducting experiments. However, the truth of the matter is that although people are capable of memorizing different facts, ideologies and theorems, the scientific world is built on communication among different scientists and other people who study science, and the transfer of experimented data and information that supplement theorems that are being tested.

Thus, it is truly an understatement to say that the daily interactions that people have with one another directly affect what they know about the world and the environment around them. In order for people to be able to understand and digest the material that they are learning, it is crucial to discuss and engage in conversation with others in order to reinforce what was learned and even perhaps to supplement the material that was initially learned. This way, scientific information can be exchanged between people and can be learned and understood in its entirety.

For the aforementioned reason, I think that the job that both parents and teachers have is crucial to advancing society. Parents and teachers are responsible for instilling information within their children and students, and without their input, children would solely be learning things from there own experiences. Simple things like familial conversation at the dinner table or a class discussion about the environment prompt children to learn and gain insight regarding the world around them through the eyes and mouths of those who are more experienced than they are.