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Yes, we should teach science to the curious very young [1]

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Date: 2022-08-26

AmazingScience

I remember when I was a 7-year-old girl in Costa Rica. I was a handful to my parents. So curious that I stuck a screwdriver in an electrical socket to find out what would happen. Of course, there was a short and the lights came off. Luckily, the handle of the screwdriver was insulated so I did not die. But my dad came and instead of scolding me he started to teach me about electricity. He was not a scientist; he was a civil engineer, but he knew about the fundamentals of electricity. He talked to me about these very small particles called electrons and how they traveled very fast in a wire and could hurt me. After that and also because at that point I had read many Jules Verne’s books, my curiosity knew no bounds. I wanted to know more and more.

I am not exceptional by any means. I was normal child who was lucky to have a dad like that. I think that most children have that innate curiosity that could lead to a career in science, and we should start early to open their minds. No, not all would become scientists, but their world would have a wider horizon. All human knowledge is connected after all.

I also remember one time when going to Costa Rica representing NASA to give talks to students about NASA and science, I was asked to give a talk to a group of 6–8-year-old children. I of course talked in simple terms, but I was amazed at the questions they asked me. They were so intelligent and profound.

Yes, we should start teaching at least the basics of science to first schoolers. People has said that it is hard because teachers are not scientists. Well, let us require for teachers at elementary schools to have knowledge of basic, easily to understand scientific principles. They do not need to explain Relativity or Quantum Mechanics. Just do what my dad did.

My career in science and at NASA represented the fulfillment of my child dreams. So many children have dreams about being scientists, but we kill their potential by not giving them the right guidance since very little.

Yes, I am proud that my opinions are “woke”. Let us be “woke” for the sake of our children. Our future scientists who would have to deal with Global Warming, etc. And the others, not scientists who would deal with social problems and threats to our Democracy. Science begets critical thinking.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/8/26/2118985/-Yes-we-should-teach-science-to-the-curious-very-young

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