Design by Sawyer Pennington
People have told us they're using our sisterly banter to start conversations with others (family, friends, and even in classrooms), so Black created "Conversation Starters". Stay tuned as we'll be introducing new topics on a regular basis!
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I don't understand why there's this backlash against science
and scientists. I never thought science was
something that you believed in or didn't believe in. It was just, well, science. (And for the record, although I was a straight-A student, I found all my
science classes difficult, and it seemed only the truly "nerdy" students really
"got it".) But now it seems that so many
people are questioning not only the "truth" of science but the scientists
themselves.
It's one thing to talk about so-called "mad scientists" – either the ones who were genuinely brilliant or the weird ones in books and movies (my favorite being Gene Wilder in Young Frankenstein) – but to question the ethics and motives of scientists who are proven experts in their field makes no sense. And going through thousands of personal emails looking for evidence of wrong-doing when they're trying their best to not only find the truth but explain the situation, even admitting when they don't know the answer, is unbelievable. |
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And dangerous. And,
lately, has become extremely political. Dan
Rather recently did a great piecing "defending science" but the fact that it was even necessary is
alarming. There is no denying that science
has always been important, whether in everyday applications or eradicating diseases. But, the bottom line is science is a process. And I trust the process. It includes not only a scientific method but, more importantly, scientific consensus. It is never just a single scientist's conclusion. The associated hypotheses and evidence are vetted by other scientists that are experts in that field, and if the findings are substantiated, are then published. But it does not end there. More experts continue to review the results, ask questions, and challenge the conclusions. (Think of it as a jury of geeks.) It is not a quick process – it is an evolution – which means things may change. But, this very process of inquiry is what makes science, science. |
THE CONVERSATION STARTERS
- What does the word "science" mean to you? How has science impacted your life?
- Can you trust something you might not understand?
- How do you reconcile science with religious beliefs? With political beliefs?
- Why do you think some people trust vaccines and others don't?
Design by Sawyer Pennington
People have told us they're using our sisterly banter to start conversations with others (family, friends, and even in classrooms), so Black created "Conversation Starters". Stay tuned as we'll be introducing new topics on a regular basis!
| I always thought that literacy was simply the ability to read and write, and didn't think much about it. Until Natasha was in elementary school and was struggling, and then I found out the hard way how critical those skills are, not only for being successful in school but in life. Interestingly, I learned that there are just over 200 words that are critical to being able to read (the Dolch list). Fast forward years later, when we found ourselves "teaching" financial literacy at KIPP, and although the word "literacy" was being used to describe understanding money and personal finance, I still didn't think much about it. But recently, I was shocked to learn that millions of people in this country can't read. And now, I'm hearing about "functional literacy" and things like digital literacy and even health literacy. It's all very confusing. Or, is "literacy" just the new "buzzword"? |
| As a literacy expert recently told us, "Literacy … there's
more to it." Functional Literacy takes the basic concept of
being able to read and write, and expands it to having the skills necessary to
manage daily living and employment tasks, and topics such as financial
literacy, digital literacy, and health literacy. I recently read a comprehensive, and inspiring, action plan, the Houston's Adult Literacy Blueprint, that was developed by the Mayor's Office for Adult Literacy (the only office of its kind in the nation) in partnership with the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation to break the cycle of poverty by improving the literacy skills of adults. The detailed plan is based on significant research and input from key stakeholders, and there is also an executive summary. However, I know I am the data geek, not you, but think that you will appreciate this quote from the study, "When parents teach children how to read, ask questions, solve problems, and ultimately navigate the world, they are developing the building blocks for academic and life success." |
THE CONVERSATION STARTERS
- How would you describe functional literacy? What skills do you think are necessary to manage daily life? To be successful in the workplace?
- Have you or your family been personally affected by literacy issues or challenges? If so, how have they impacted your life?
- Obviously, becoming functionally literate has a profound effect on the individual. What are potential ripple effects?
- What can you and/or your company do to help reduce adult illiteracy?