Why is science important?

Alom Shaha has created a great web site (Why is science important?) and film. It should be of special interest to teachers and students.

The web site provides a large list of thoughts and comments from leading scientists and public figures. It also encourages comments from readers.

The complete film (30 min) can be watched on the Vimeo site (click Why is Science Important?).

However, one can choose individual short YouTube clips. I have listed them below for convenience.

Why is Science Important? 1 of 14 (1:05 min) Science Teacher Alom Shaha walks across hot coals to demonstrate how easy it is to do . He then briefly explains the simple science behind it and why such knowledge can be useful to you.

Why is Science Important? 2 of 14 (2:54 min) This clip features responses to the question from trainee science teachers and glimpses into answers from prominent scientists who feature later in the film.

Why is Science Important? 3 of 14 (2:45 min) Adam Hart-Davis explains why science is important for the technological world we live in. Alom Shaha visits a research facility and takes a ride in a giant centrifuge as part of a mission to find out why science is important to technology.

Why is Science important? 4 of 14 (1:19 min) Rocket Scientist Elaine Greaney explains how scientific research is pushing the boundaries of space flight technologies. Alom Shaha explains how science is crucial for technological developments in the modern world.

Why is Science Important? 5 of 14 (2:43 min) Dr Chris Langley explains why there are moral and ethical choices involved in the development of technologies and that perhaps we need to think more carefully about these. Alom Shaha visits the British Antarctic Survey to find out how scientific research may be playing a crucial role in ensuring the survival of our species.

Why is Science Important? 6 of 14 (3:04 min) Dr Marc Beurskens at the nuclear fusion research facility at JET explains how nuclear fusion may play a key role in helping us deal with climate change. Alom Shaha visits the British Antarctic survey and shows how science helped save us from the harmful effects of a hole in the ozone layer.

Why is Science Important? 7 of 14 (2:04 min) Prof. Robin Weiss explains why science is crucial to medical research. Dr Gillian Dalgleish at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Centre explains why a scientific approach is essential to finding a cure for cancer.

Why is Science Important? 8 of 14 (2:26 min) Prof. Marcus du Sautoy explains his role as the Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at the university of Oxford and why it’s important for people in a democracy to understand science.

Why is Science Important? 9 of 14 (2:01 min) Science Teacher David Perks explains what he thinks are the flaws of the UK’s approach to science teaching. Mick Waters, Director of Curriculum at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, explains how teachers can work with the curriculum to deliver good science education.

Why is Science Important? 10 of 14 (1:30 min) Science teacher Becky Parker explains why it’s important to teach science to our children.

Why is Science Important? 11 of 14 (1:46 min) Astronomer Dr Francisco Diego explains why studying the stars is important – because it tells us about our place in the universe, about our origin and our destiny.

Why is Science Important? 12 of 14 (0:57 min) Philosopher A.C. Grayling explains why science is the best way of arriving at truth about the universe.

Why is Science Important? 13 of 14 (1:32 min) Psychologist Susan Blackmore explains how her scientific research led her to reject her youthful beliefs in occult explanations for clairvoyance, telekinesis and other apparently “paranormal” phenomena.

Why is Science Important? 14 of 14(2:05 min) Science Teacher Alom Shaha concludes his quest to find answers to the question “why is science important?” and offers his own answer.

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See Also:
Understanding Science.org.
COPUS network

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