According to the Scientific Method, Astrophysics is NOT science! (What’s wrong with this picture?)
For decades we have defined science literacy primarily as awareness of a growing body of facts and principles resulting from application of the scientific method. We’re told (and we teach) that analytical and critical thinking skills enable us to apply these facts and principles to aid in learning and decision making. At the same time formal and informal public polls tell us that a significant fraction of educated adults are unclear on those facts and principles. I will discuss a proposed change in our definition of science literacy that incorporates a stronger emphasis on the scientific process (aka the scientific method) as applied in contemporary scientific work. The facts will still be there and we will be better equipped to assess and apply them. Please attend and participate in the discussion. There will be prizes.
