If you ask children what their favourite subject is, most
would answer science. However, as they enter primary school towards high school,
there seems to be a decline in their interest, particularly because science
instruction has transformed from magic to
concepts and theories to memorize.
This is what the Mind Museum is trying to revive – science as
magic. I was genuinely surprised when the speakers revealed that they were
actual science practitioners and not merely runners of kiddie shows because we grown-ups basically believe that science
is locked up in labs, exclusive only to those who can, if not locked away in textbooks.
When they showed us a few experiments, after such a long
time, the science-curious child in me came out, anticipating the magic, and there
it was as we all watched wide-eyed. That attempt to bring science down from its
ivory tower was successful without undermining the actual understanding and
appreciation that near-adults could get.
This is actually a manifestation of the larger problem that
disciplines are in, most especially science. It is almost automatic that once
higher education comes into the picture, science becomes less accessible, less
stimulating, less comprehensible not because it is but the current educational
system frames it so. I do admire those who opt to study the natural sciences for
further study, but as long as it does not foster a more resonant call for
younger students to take consistent interest, the future of science is
uncertain.
Christine Joy L. Galunan
2013-50860
No comments:
Post a Comment