The Need of the Moment

I have an interest in the impact of science education on our day to day actions. This interest stems from the dire condition of the earth and the even dire state predicted by scientists should temperature levels rise because of increasing levels of green house gases, especially carbon dioxide.

As a science teacher, I understand somewhat the messages that teachers are capable of bringing into the classrooms and how these influence our children. As a teacher, the more conscious I am of these issues and the need of the moment where the earth is concerned, right from the depth of my being, the more I am going to be able to pass on important messages to my children in the classroom. Passion goes hand in hand with awareness. Being informed of issues creates awareness. The teacher is not alone in bringing in messages that matter into the classroom. She is part of an organisation with its own missions and goals. This organisation is again part of a larger institution with its own agenda. The institution is a part of the society we form, its political and social ideologies, and motivations.

Where do individuals fit in all these? Individuals make society and the world we live in. Just as individuals have shaped the present as it is, the same individuals shape the future. What is the role we want to take on for ourselves, for a better and more progressive future, a fulfilling one, where we live and let live?

Education, both formal and informal, has played a significant role in shaping what we are today, first our ideologies and then our actions.

It is my intention to dive into the depths of how education, especially science education has shaped our thoughts about science and our actions. Are there values inherent in science that have been passed down to us? Or did we walk along a path with blinkers on our eyes, our vision projected forward towards only one and only one goal, blinded to other aspects and suggestions, other aspirations good, true and beautiful, coming from the sidelines? Which path have we walked or have been directed to walk along?

What is the state of science education in the classrooms? World over?

It is important to understand the past so that light is thrown in on the present to make it clearer to us. However, there is no great use in hovering over the past, living in the past, either complaining about or glorifying it. Move forward we must, with a view towards transforming the very way we have been or are, if we want to see something better shaping up before us, before the future generations of humanity.

Ironically, the earth we have exploited is at the heart of the debate, and the earth is us. What are we going to do about it?

The blog hopes follow earth consciousness as it is shaping up now and the place of education in this, both in the way we have been influenced and more importantly on its impact in shaping the future, in its transformative role.

It would be great to hear from anyone out there with an opinion or a statement or a thought, anything at all. This issue concerns all.

Cheers.