According to research published in the January issue of BioSciene, “Most college students in the United States do not grasp the scientific basis of the carbon cycle – an essential skill in understanding the causes and consequences of climate change.”
More than 500 students at 13 U.S. colleges were assessed to test their fundamental science knowledge. Many students fail to apply scientific principles to their daily activities. Without the knowledge about the conservation of matter, students are not aware of the impact they make on the world.
Students typically explain their weight loss as the fat “melting away” or was “burned off”. According to Energy Weekly News, “In reality, the atoms in fat molecules leave the body (mostly through breathing) and enter the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and water.
Researchers also said the textbooks read by high-school and college students need to do a better job teaching the scientific fundamentals. Charles Anderson, MSU professor of teacher education and co-investigator on the project, said “Instructors should help students understand that the use of such “everyday, informal reasoning” runs counter to true scientific literacy.”
The most important environmental problem is global climate change. Anderson is interested in students’ understanding of environmental problems.
This article is another source that shows students are not aware of global climate change and how the issue is continuously rising. During our campaign, my group will inform students on the impact they make and how they can make an effective change one by one.
Citation:
Oxides; College students lack scientific literacy, study finds. (2011, January). Energy Weekly News,407. Retrieved November 10, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry. (Document ID: 2242986601).
