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Bill would ban the teaching of scientific theories in Montana schools

Taylor said:
Many/Most scientists don't understand how science works, lol.
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Can you explain why you think that is true?

I highly doubt that anyone could provide evidence that shows what many/most scientists understand or don't understand. That would take a rigorous and widespread test.
 
Daniel Emrich needs to be removed from office. All government offices need to be de-MAGAed.
 
ColdHardTruth said:
Is that why they have a Ph.D. in a science field? Because they do not understand how it works?
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People can have degrees in science and have misunderstandings about how science works. I think we need a separate thread to discuss/debate the topic of how science works; what science knows for sure; and such.
 
SkyChief said:
The OP mischaracterizes Senate Bill 235. This is probably intentional.

The purpose of K-12 education is to educate children in the facts of our world to better prepare them for their future and further education in their chosen field of study, and to that end, children must know the difference between scientific fact and scientific theory; and WHEREAS, a scientific fact is observable and repeatable, and if it does not meet these criteria, it is a theory that is defined as speculation and is for higher education to explore, debate, and test to ultimately reach a scientific conclusion of fact or fiction.

This makes sense. Children need to be able to distinguish between scientific theory and scientific fact.

Liberal educators are panicking because they know they won't be able to ram garbage down their students' throats like they have in the past.

It's a good bill.
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There is no difference between the two. Scientific theories are based upon scientific facts. No facts, no theories. There is a popular misunderstanding of what the word theory means in science.
 
Kinda shoots down any kids who aspire to a vocation that has 'scientist' in the title. IF they don't also outlaw those obsolete science books, it is an opportunity for parents to put their child in a acedemically superior position by being home-schooled in science subjects the homogenized student population are forbidden to learn.
 
JMB802 said:
I disagree, based on previous interactions. YMMV
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I'm aware of some of @Taylor's comment history and tactics, but I don't think that's what's going on here.
 
SkyChief said:
That's a valid point.

However children can still learn about those theories on their own. Theoretical science will no longer be part of the classroom curricula.
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Montana will be churning out generations of fast food and Walmart employees. The US is already lagging behind other nations in science academics. Children shouldn't have to struggle more to succeed because of ignorant redneck politicians.
 
Ikari said:
Uh huh.
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It's true. It's not like Philosophy of Science is a core course in your graduate curriculum. For most grad students, the best they get is the odd professor that corrects them when they say something stupid (e.g. "gravity is just a theory")
 
Taylor said:
It's true. It's not like Philosophy of Science is a core course in your graduate curriculum. For most grad students, the best they get is the odd professor that corrects them when they say something stupid (e.g. "gravity is just a theory")
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Lot of experience in grad school focused on science?

lol
 
Do people here understand the difference between an engineer and a scientist? An engineer doesn't need to know theory, rather they know how to apply & use formulas to solve everyday problems. They also know how to actually test their results...but I digress. How much math theory does a engineer or scientist know? Zero. They don't have to. Same goes for these kids. They don't need to know and theory and they can still be pretty darn smart.
 
SkyChief said:
Read the preface of the bill.

It plainly states "children must know the difference between scientific fact and scientific theory; ".
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And the only way to accomplish that is to teach both; and teach the distinction between them.
 
Teach children about everything, even if some of it conflicts with other material. Let them decide what to believe.

If something is not established fact, such as the existence of a creator/overseer being, then preface that by saying it is theory.
 
dmpi said:
Do people here understand the difference between an engineer and a scientist? An engineer doesn't need to know theory, rather they know how to apply & use formulas to solve everyday problems. They also know how to actually test their results...but I digress. How much math theory does a engineer or scientist know? Zero. They don't have to. Same goes for these kids. They don't need to know and theory and they can still be pretty darn smart.
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Sure, and this goes beyond scientific theory, and can be applied to any studies in general. A C++ programmer can write programs without knowing anything about machine code, but a programmer who does will be more well-rounded and better prepared.

The entire field of biology is built around the theory of evolution. The nurse may not need to know anything about it to give you a covid shot, but the vaccine could not have been developed without it.

What is this law aimed at accomplishing? Has there been an issue with students being confused about scientific theories?
 
A 10th grade girl got up and spoke to the adult politicians. I think that sums it up.
 
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