Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.
Chapter 1: Reading, Writing, and Thinking like a Scientist
“Treasure your curiosity and nurture your imagination. Have confidence in yourself. Do not let others put limits on you. Dare to imagine the unimaginable.” – Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson
Science is a very specific way of learning, or knowing, about the world. Science is responsible for amazing innovations in medicine, hygiene, technology, and many other areas of our lives. Through science we can learn about the world around us and understand our role and place in it. Science fosters a sense of wonder because scientificinquiry invites curiousity. Scientific thinking also helps to develop a growth mindset because it encourages trying out ideas and learning from mistakes. In the article “Why thinking like a scientist is good for you,”Adam Grant states,
“Thinking like a scientist does not mean you need to own a telescope or a microscope. It just means that you favor humility over pride and curiosity over conviction. You know what you don’t know, and you’re eager to discover new things. You don’t let your ideas become your identity. You look for reasons why you might be wrong, not just reasons why you must be right. You listen to ideas that make you think hard, not just the ones that make you feel good. And you surround yourself with people who can challenge your process, not just the ones who agree with your conclusion.“
Figure 1.1 Elbert Einstein https://www.gettyimages.com/search/2/image?phrase=albert+einstein+1921
We are born with a natural sense of curiosity and discovery, and a drive to learn about the world we live in. However, we don’t always relate these qualities to science or think of ourselves as scientists because we get caught up in stereotypes about “science” and “scientists“. Most people picture this guy, when thinking of science.
Even though Albert Einstein is brilliant, his image doesn’t define what it means to be a scientist. Scientists come from diverse backgrounds representing countries from all over the world. They speak a variety of languages and bring unique persepctives and experiences to their work. What all of these scientists have in common is a shared understanding of the scientific method and its related practices and policies, which includes specific vocabularly and expectations for research and presenting information.
Science is for everyone, and everyone needs it. Being scientifically literate makes it easier to navigate important choices related to our daily lives. The goal of this course is to introduce you to the basic principles of science, specifically Biology, and to develop scientific literacy skills relevant to your life. You will continue to build on this foundation in future courses and as you continue to identify aspects of your life touched by science. This chapter introduces the basic elements of scientific thinking, reading and writing that we will work with all quarter.
John Pham, molecular biologist and editor-in-chief of science journal Cell. He is a member of the LGBTQ+ and Asian communities and has spoken at diversity and inclusion in all aspects of life, but especially the sciences.
Melinda M. Adams, indigenous soil scientist and ecologist, who belongs to the N’dee San Carlos Apache Tribe. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Atmospheric Science and Indigenous Studies at The University of Kansas. Her research is rooted in Traditional Ecological Knowledge and focuses on the ecological and cultural benefits of cultural fire practices.
Joan Roughgarden, ecologist and evolutionary biologist, author, and Emeritus Professor at Stanford University. She is a transgender woman who advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusion within the scientific community.
Shirley Anne Jackson, the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. from MIT and the first African American woman in the country to earn a physics doctorate. Also, the first African American and the first woman to chair the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the first black woman to head any national science and engineering research university (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) Polytechnic Institute.
Fred Begay (1932-2013), a Navajo nuclear physicist, who connected traditional Ute and Navajo teachings from his elders to modern science. He worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory and studied thermonuclear fusion.
growth mindset: as conceived by Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck and colleagues, is the belief that a person’s capacities and talents can be improved over time. (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/growth-mindset)
science: knowledge that covers general truths about the natural world or the operation of general laws, especially when acquired and tested by the scientific method.
scientific inquiry: The National Science Education Standards define scientific inquiry as “the diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence derived from their work. Scientific inquiry also refers to the activities through which students develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, as well as an understanding of how scientists study the natural world.” (https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/9596/chapter/2)
scientific literacy: a citizen’s ability to possesses knowledge/skills to make informed decisions involving scientific issues, through a process of life-long science learning (https://nestanet.org/SciLiteracy)
scientific method: a method of research with defined steps that include making observations, asking quesitons, researching, conducting experiments, analyzing data, and sharing results.
scientist: a person who is studying or has expert knowledge of one or more of the natural or physical sciences; a professional who systematically gathers research and evidence using the scientific method and presents their findings
wonder: a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable.
