this post was submitted on 28 Dec 2025
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Science Memes

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[–] logicbomb@lemmy.world 29 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

If we want children to learn these things, we should teach them these things directly, instead of relying on science classes. I'm not saying we should get rid of science classes, but the people who are saying these stupid things did actually take science classes in school.

We desperately need to teach classes that are specific. I learned a lot about problem solving from math classes, but I was shocked when I tutored other kids, and they only learned the math, but had no idea how to approach problems. And I don't mean just word problems, but literally even if you just give them multiple equations and variables.

My tutoring often went like this: "I can't solve this!" "What information to they give you? What answer do they want? What can you do with the stuff that they've given you to get the answer?" And then they get the answer. Then repeat. Literally no math involved in the tutoring for math class.

So, we need required classes, early, like in elementary school, that specifically teach problem solving, critical thinking, how to detect misinformation, and what I'll call empathy. By "empathy", I mean the ability to imagine yourself in another person's shoes so that you can predict why they're doing what they're doing. It's essential for detecting misinformation because you need to trust somebody at some point, so you need to understand how to tell who is more likely to be trustworthy. I also think we should teach children meditation techniques.

[–] Manjushri@piefed.social 35 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

So, we need required classes, early, like in elementary school, that specifically teach problem solving, critical thinking, how to detect misinformation, and what I’ll call empathy.

Good luck. The 2012 Texas GOP platform specifically opposed the teaching of critical thinking skills. Needless to say, the entire GOP feels the same way to this date. Also, empathy is now considered a weakness or moral failing in those circles.

Face it. The federal government and the state governments of a large fraction of the states are diametrically opposed to our desires.

Don't get me wrong. I think you're correct about what our goals should be. But calling it an uphill battle to achieve them would be an understatement of epic proportions.

Edit: 2012, not 2021

[–] Luxyr@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 1 day ago

It is very much intentional in a lot of places to keep the status quo.

[–] merc@sh.itjust.works 3 points 11 hours ago

we should teach them these things directly, instead of relying on science classes

Ok, so by "these things" you mean logic, argument analysis, media literacy, critical thinking, etc.

Yes, I had classes like that, and I think they're much more important than science and math classes. You can learn science and math on your own from YouTube videos, but you need the media literacy to know which YouTube videos you can trust.