In 1985 a scientific literacy initiative, Project 2061, was started under the sponsorship of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  It set out to identify what was most important for the next generation to know and be able to do in science, mathematics, and technology—what would make them science literate.

Project 2061’s findings were published in 1989 by F. James Rutherford and Andrew Ahlgren in Science for All Americans.  Science for All Americans describes the scientifically literate person as one who knows that science, mathematics, and technology are interdependent enterprises with strengths and limitations; who understands key concepts and principles of science; who recognizes both the diversity and unity of the natural world; and who uses scientific knowledge and scientific ways of thinking for personal and social purposes.  This has become the foundation of the STEM movement.

With this in mind, as this new school year get under way perhaps we should all be asking the question “Is Your Child’s Science Education What It Should Be?” How can parents know if their child’s education is up to par and on track with Project 2061’s goals?  Are students being prepared well enough for today’s science-oriented world?  Project 2061 has created a set of ten questions parents can ask their local schools to help them determine whether their child is gaining the knowledge and skills they will need as adults. www.project2061.org/publications/articles/questions/10questions.htm

Involvement of parents is essential to the advancement of our children’s education.  Stay involved and push for more STEM.

Tags: AAAS, Project 2061, STEM

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 at 8:56 pm and is filed under Project 2061. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.