In Defense of Science: Why Scientific Literacy Matters: 8 (Science for Nonscientists) - Hardcover

Joan Price-Bayer; Frank R. Spellman

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1605907359 ISBN 13: 9781605907352

Publisher: Government Institutes (UK), 2010

Synopsis

Today, only a few people outside of the scientific community are conversant with the tradition of science and its many breakthroughs. The rest are scientifically illiterate. So say Frank R. Spellman and Joni Price-Bayer, authors of In Defense of Science: Why Scientific Literacy Matters. This book explains why ordinary citizens need to have an understanding of science, its methods, and its groundbreaking discoveries. The authors introduce the most basic scientific concepts in accessible and straightforward language. Along the way they debunk several misconceptions of science and scientists, and arrive at a view of science as an integral part of society, policy, and everyday life. The book begins with an introduction to science and its basic concepts, including a brief and entertaining history of science and scientific discoveries, before taking on current views of science in society. It surveys the many sources of our ideas of science, including pop culture, classics of literature, news media, and political discourse. Much of the information from these sources tends to mislead, and the only way to guard against such misinformation is to become scientifically literate, and promote scientific literacy in society. The book therefore delves into the reasons that so many people do not understand basic scientific principles and do not keep up with scientific breakthroughs, and finishes by examining the current state of science education. It includes many resources for further reading, and is presented in an engaging and entertaining way. It offers much food for thought for anyone concerned with science in todays world.

About this title

About the Authors

Frank R. Spellman, PhD, is a retired assistant professor of environmental health at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, and the author of more than 136 books covering topics ranging from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to all areas of environmental science and occupational health. Many of his texts are readily available online, and several have been adopted for classroom use at major universities throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Russia; two have been translated into Spanish for South American markets. Dr. Spellman has been cited in more than 550 publications. He serves as a professional expert witness for three law groups and as an incident/accident investigator for the U.S. Department of Justice and a northern Virginia law firm. In addition, he consults on homeland security vulnerability assessments for critical infrastructures including water/wastewater facilities nationwide and conducts pre-Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)/Environmental Protection Agency EPA audits throughout the country. Dr. Spellman lectures on sewage treatment, water treatment, and homeland security and lectures and safety topics throughout the country and teaches water/wastewater operator short courses at Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, Virginia). He surveyed the drinking water ancient distribution system at Machu Picchu and studied Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos Islands. In addition, he studied water pollution in Coco, Ecuador. He holds a BA, in public administration, a BS in business management, an MBA, and an MS and PhD in environmental engineering.

Joan Price-Bayer is the co-author of in Defense of Science: Why Scientific Literacy Matters and The Handbook of Nature.

Edition details

• Publisher: Government Institutes (UK)
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1605907359
• ISBN 13: 9781605907352
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 222