Editorial: Time to promote science literacy

• Source: Global Times
• [00:04 July 23 2009]
• Comments

The spectacular total solar eclipse yesterday morning ignited Chinese people's zeal for astronomy. The fun and excitement was easily seen in the faces of millions of Chinese watchers of the longest total solar eclipse in China within a nearly 500 year period that started in 1814 and will end in 2309.

They were happy because they observed a rare astronomical event with their own eyes. It was undoubtedly the biggest taste of astronomy many Chinese have had.

But the interest will disappear as quickly as the solar eclipse. What astronomy and science bring to humanity is something much more significant and enduring – creativity, independent thinking, and the spirit to venture into unknown worlds. This spirit is crucial for an individual's development and can be fostered through promoting science literacy.

Unfortunately, China has not done enough in this regard. According to a recent survey, most Chinese think knowledge about science is far away from their daily life, and can only be acquired by going to science and technology museums and listening to “boring” speeches.

In contrast, the United States does a very good job of promoting science domestically and globally. How many science fiction TV series and films has the US produced? Apart from audio-visual pleasure, the audience must be impressed and enlightened by the spirit of exploration and profound worries about human's living environment embodied in these works. How many such films have been produced in China? Very few, if any.

As we all know, a country's future largely hinges on its children. So we are sorry to see a very limited science curriculum taught in schools. In the small amounts of spare time Chinese children have, their parents typically enroll them in extra curricular English classes or math Olympiads to help boost their exam scores.

As a result, children's interest in science is suppressed under the exam-oriented education system. This will do no good for children's well-being and future contributions to the country's development in science and technology.

At this moment when Chinese people's interest in astronomy and science is stimulated by the spectacular eclipse, perhaps we can find illumination in the United States' Project 2061, named for the year Halley's Comet will next be visible from earth. In 1985, the last year the comet was seen, the US began the project to make the next generation science-literate with the help of scientists, educators, parents, school administrators, museums and policymakers.

Can our government and all walks of society make good on this opportunity to maintain people's love for science and promote their science literacy?

It's time to take action.