2009 - The Year of Science
Explore, Empower, Engage…
That is the by-line for the international Year of Science.
It is already July, meaning the year is half over.
But, there is still half a year left.
So, the optimist in me says there is a lot left to be gained.
What does the International Year of Science mean
for you? Well, it means
that a whole lot of scientific groups and societies are working right
now to make their science more accessible.
If science has always seemed like some mysterious endeavor that
takes place in dark museum basements and smoke-filled laboratories, this
is your year. As their
press release states,
the goal of the
Year of Science 2009 (a.k.a. YOS 2009 – of course, we need an acronym
for it to be any sort of official endeavor!) is to engage the public in
science by showcasing how science works, who scientists are, and why
science matters in our communities and everyday lives. Entire states,
including California, are embracing YOS 2009 through proclamations and
special collaborative activities.
And, universities, scientific societies, K-12 schools, science
centers and museums, federal agencies, corporations and other
non-profits have created a grassroots network dedicated to celebrating
YOS 2009.
A special web
site (www.yearofscience2009.org)
has been created help the general public learn more about this year
–long national event. Every month throughout the year, the site will
feature a new scientific theme, in which organizational leaders in that
discipline share the excitement of their science. The web site also
provides engaging resources and highlights FREE events connected to the
monthly theme such as science cafes, festivals, open houses, blogs,
podcasts, and school visits by scientists to share their work.
Two of my
personal favorites within this new and pretty awesome collection of
resources are the Why Science Is Important site (http://whyscience.co.uk/),
which features statements, videos, movies and personal reflections from
scientists and non-scientists alike, and the Understanding Science site
(http://understandingscience.com),
which explains how science really works, what it is, and what it hopes
to achieve. The latter is a
really great resource for teachers and families.
I want to share
something else I learned from this website that really touched me.
A lot of people out there say; “I am just not good at science.”
What this can mean, especially when it comes from our kids, is “I
just have not found the part of science that interests me.”
Classroom science may be challenging.
But, as in all walks of life, what one learns in the classroom is
only part of being a scientist.
Scientific research involves a lot of creative thinking,
problem-solving, logic, and communication skills – and those aren’t
always tapped in the classroom.
I am going to freely admit that the class I disliked the very
most my freshman year of college was my Biology class.
And the class I did the worst in (and took a couple of times
over) was Physics. Lucky
for me, science is also an incredibly diverse suite of fields ranging
from astronomy to zoology, and every letter of the alphabet in between.
I found a career that blended my interests, played to my personal
strengths, and ironically includes biology and physics.
But, you don’t have to choose a career in science to enjoy it.
Science really is for everyone, at some level.
This is also a
great time for me to remind you that you live in a hotbed of
science opportunities! The
Monterey Bay Aquarium, My Museum and various other museums, nature
walks, interpretive centers, libraries, State Parks and oceans are right
at your doorstep, and some of them are world-renowned.
A quick drive over the hill to San Jose or San Francisco opens
the opportunities up even further with the newly renovated California
Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park and associated museums, the
Exploratorium, and the Children’s Discovery Museum.
Nearly all the places I have listed are free, or have days
of the month or year that they waive admission charges.
Now, go explore!
Lara Ferry-Graham is Research Faculty at California State University’s Moss Landing Marine Labs, is married to a scientist, and is a parent of two young explorers. She writes mostly opinion. You can read more of her opinions, and provide your opinions, at her Science Blog “Science is for Everyone” at swimswithfishes.blogspot.com. All images reprinted here are freely available and used with permission.
