Comments on: Scientific Literacy in the US

By: Science4Grownups

Science4Grownups — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 01:47:40 +0000

Hi Steven,
I contacted the California Academy and got them to send me the questions. I posted them and some comments at my blog:

http://science4grownups.com/archives/2009/04/10/general/california-academy-of-sciences-scientific-literacy-poll-part-1-322

It looks to be more designed to promote the museum by creating a pseudo-controversy than a legitimate attempt to gauge the state of science literacy.

By: nwtk2007

nwtk2007 — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:58:20 +0000

As a teacher of science for some twenty odd years, I can tell you, you have no idea.

By: Dacks

Dacks — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 00:28:22 +0000

The summer after graduating from a seven sisters college I was visiting with some college friends and ended the evening by demonstrating with a tennis ball and a flashlight how the seasons were determined by the tilt of the earth’s axis. A few years later another college friend made the conversation stopping remark “I used to think water only flowed downhill.” Not much to say to that.

Moral of this story: ignorance of basic science is more widespread than one might think.

By: Scepticon

Scepticon — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:55:19 +0000

Thanks Watcher, that was awesome!

By: Watcher

Watcher — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 05:56:46 +0000

Ah found it Pipa pipa.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCayq56wHSA

The videos not for the faint of heart A little late night insomnia put to good use.

By: HHC

HHC — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 02:07:52 +0000

Scepticon, Delightful video with terrific broadband reception! Thank you.

By: badrescher

badrescher — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:16:40 +0000

This study was conducted in 2001 as well. Although the same 47% could not answer what I thought was a no-brainer, ground was gained, especially on the question of man & dinosaurs sharing time (only 42% knew they had not in 2001; 59% in the 2008 survey).

The academy does not seem to think that’s important (or, perhaps they think that a comparison would reduce its impact).

I find the change encouraging.

By: Watcher

Watcher — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:21:38 +0000

I think you are thinking of the Bromeliad Frog, which carries eggs and tadpoles onder aflap of skin on the back. So not too gross, they don’t burrow in or anything.

Gotcha, that could be it. Only thing I know right now is that my Herp professor would be quite sad with me right now

By: Scepticon

Scepticon — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:17:26 +0000

HHC, I do occasionally consider myself lucky to live in a country with some unique wildlife, the rest of the time it’s just home.

Watcher, HHC is correct here’s a link with video:
http://www.teara.govt.nz/TheBush/FishFrogsAndReptiles/Frogs/4/ENZ-Resources/Standard/4/en

They are kind of cute.

I think you are thinking of the Bromeliad Frog, which carries eggs and tadpoles onder aflap of skin on the back. So not too gross, they don’t burrow in or anything.

By: Watcher

Watcher — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:58:51 +0000

Really. I thought there was a frog that carried them under their skin in pockets. Maybe I’m thinking of a different one? Anyways, still interesting.

Although I’m not sure why I wouldn’t be expected to know since they don’t go through a larval stage