Scientific literacy, defined by the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Programme for International Student
Assessment (PISA) in 2018, is the understanding of how scientific knowledge
changes our interaction with the world, and how it can be used to achieve
broader goals. Kathleen Lodl, Associate Dean of Nebraska Extension, expands on
this definition, stating that scientific literacy also involves making
decisions based on facts, research, and knowledge rather than opinion or
hearsay. UNESCO simplifies the definition as the ability to use scientific
knowledge in daily life to solve problems.
The importance of scientific literacy lies in its ability to provide context for addressing societal problems and enabling rational decision-making that can improve the quality of life. It is often confused with technological literacy, which is the ability to use modern devices and applications. A scientifically literate person questions, understands, finds, realizes, and interprets facts about the physical world around them.
Scientific illiteracy is a major issue faced by most countries worldwide, as evidenced by numerous studies. In the United States, a study by Durant et al. revealed that only as little as five percent of residents were scientifically literate, while in Pakistan, Iram Shahzadi and Professor Abida Nasreen of the University of Punjab found that government school students in Lahore had very low scientific literacy. A survey conducted by Oklahoma State University showed that half of the respondents wanted food labels to indicate if DNA was present in the food, indicating a lack of basic scientific knowledge.
One reason for scientific illiteracy is the promotion of pseudoscience by politicians. Despite the efforts of Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr Abdul Kalam in India to promote scientific literacy, there are still politicians who endanger the scientific literacy of their country. In Sri Lanka, examples include a politician who challenged an environmentalist by asking what the use of oxygen was and an ex-president who decided to convert the island into an organic farming country overnight, ignoring expert advice.
Media outlets also play a role in decreasing scientific literacy. Casey Forest Kanode, a scholar at Montana State University, suggests that scientific literacy in America is negatively impacted by the politicization of scientific matters by mainstream news media, fake or pseudo-scientific television programs, and misinformation through social media outlets.
To improve scientific literacy, promoting STEM education is key. STEM education is not limited to Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics; it is a teaching approach that aims to train students to think analytically, systematically, critically, and methodically while providing opportunities to learn the technologies involved in these subjects. Improving the science literacy of the public through mass media is another approach, but the dearth of science journalists and content editors who can communicate an engaging yet scientifically accurate story is a significant challenge.
Improving scientific literacy is critical for societies to make the best decisions possible based on the best available knowledge.
By Polito
