Should freshman members of Congress take a science course?

By | February 10, 2009 | News, Science Policy, Uncategorized | 7 Comments

I don’t think that’s necessary. We should just restore the Office of Technology Assessment (with citizen input) and give Congress a dedicated source of science and tech policy advice. 

However, the author of “Congress needs scientific schooling” thinks new members of Congress should be required to take a science course:

“The re-emergence of science as a national policy priority requires a level of informed engagement that hasn’t been seen in Washington in some time. From medicine and health care to food safety, energy and the environment, science will play a key role in many of the policies our legislators will be proposing and debating. 

Members of Congress possess a range of backgrounds…but only 8% hold a medical or doctorate (Ph.D.) degree with formal training in science and the scientific process (SC Note:  10% of the Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders are formally trained in the sciences) ….most members of Congress lack the background to understand the process of science and the subtle nuances that justify investments in science and engineering or changes in priorities.”

What to do?

The author offers this suggestion:

“We should take a lesson from the British and encourage all freshman members of Congress to take a crash course in science to equip them with a fundamental understanding of how research is conducted and the strengths and weaknesses inherent in any scientific dataset. The Conservative Party in Great Britain recently announced it will include classes on scientific methodology and basic concepts in the orientation activities for all new Conservative members of Parliament after the next elections, specifically to address politicians’ lack of scientific expertise. Shadow Science Minister Adam Afriyie, the architect behind these new courses, stated that “by building a base of scientific knowledge among politicians and officials, we aim to strengthen the role of science in policy making.” 

 

 

  • http://bartacus.blogspot.com Bart L

    I like the science class idea, but maybe it would be enough to make certain that the “science geek” on each member’s staff gets a refresher. Sometimes these interns have degrees in science…and sometimes not. And since the interns are the ones reading and writing many of the bills, that would seem the best place to start.

  • http://bartacus.blogspot.com Bart L

    I like the science class idea, but maybe it would be enough to make certain that the “science geek” on each member’s staff gets a refresher. Sometimes these interns have degrees in science…and sometimes not. And since the interns are the ones reading and writing many of the bills, that would seem the best place to start.

  • Paul

    At first, my gut reaction was along the lines of, “yeah, make them all take science classes and turn them all into little scientists!” This makes sense because they should all have a clue about the science related matters they make major decisions about and the more science they know, the better off they’ll be to make such well informed decisions. But then again, perhaps they should take classes in all sorts of other classes that they should be subject matter experts in. Where will it end?

    Then I remembered what my goal is for the students I teach. I use the parable, “Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime.” Have all the members of Congress take a class in critical thinking! A science course that teaches a person how to ask questions and think critically. Show them how designing an experiment appropriately can give desired results (not real science), but designing an experiment properly can give irrefutable results (real science). Show them how conclusions are in the eye of the beholder and how data/facts reveal the truth if interpreted without prejudice or bias. If done properly, then such a course will not only demonstrate the virtues of “fishing”, but it will explain why when performed correctly, how “fishing” is socially and culturally beneficial. Never study a subject unless one intends to use the learned information. We can only hope all Congressional members will learn to fish and why it is paramount to do so!

    My two cents worth!

  • Paul

    At first, my gut reaction was along the lines of, “yeah, make them all take science classes and turn them all into little scientists!” This makes sense because they should all have a clue about the science related matters they make major decisions about and the more science they know, the better off they’ll be to make such well informed decisions. But then again, perhaps they should take classes in all sorts of other classes that they should be subject matter experts in. Where will it end?

    Then I remembered what my goal is for the students I teach. I use the parable, “Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime.” Have all the members of Congress take a class in critical thinking! A science course that teaches a person how to ask questions and think critically. Show them how designing an experiment appropriately can give desired results (not real science), but designing an experiment properly can give irrefutable results (real science). Show them how conclusions are in the eye of the beholder and how data/facts reveal the truth if interpreted without prejudice or bias. If done properly, then such a course will not only demonstrate the virtues of “fishing”, but it will explain why when performed correctly, how “fishing” is socially and culturally beneficial. Never study a subject unless one intends to use the learned information. We can only hope all Congressional members will learn to fish and why it is paramount to do so!

    My two cents worth!

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  • http://pennreelfishing.com Penn Reel

    good good

  • http://pennreelfishing.com Penn Reel

    good good