Question 1:
Galileo was a philosopher of science and seems to have gone so far as claiming he did experiments that were never actually performed. He believed so deeply in his theory and philosophy that he was known to make claims of experimental results that were actually just mathematical workings or calculations.
Why, as scientists, do we feel the need to see all of our results before believing they may be there? Why are we so uncomfortable in "the cloud" that Uri Alon speaks of in his TED Talk (Week 4 video)?
Question 2:
Do we have anything to lose by teaching the Nature of Science in our existing curriculum? Is it possible that considering to teach the Nature of Science would hinder our students as they prepare for public examinations? Would it be best to consider a total curriculum change to accommodate such topics, or could we rework the current framework to allow its incorporation?
Question 3:
How did Galileo's social context differ from most scientists' today? Wong & Hodson (2009) describe features of science today in terms of Science as a Social Practice. Do you think that Galileo's isolation near the end of his life and his limited means of communication throughout his career may have led to his unpopular decision to publish theories without testing?
Galileo was a philosopher of science and seems to have gone so far as claiming he did experiments that were never actually performed. He believed so deeply in his theory and philosophy that he was known to make claims of experimental results that were actually just mathematical workings or calculations.
Why, as scientists, do we feel the need to see all of our results before believing they may be there? Why are we so uncomfortable in "the cloud" that Uri Alon speaks of in his TED Talk (Week 4 video)?
Question 2:
Do we have anything to lose by teaching the Nature of Science in our existing curriculum? Is it possible that considering to teach the Nature of Science would hinder our students as they prepare for public examinations? Would it be best to consider a total curriculum change to accommodate such topics, or could we rework the current framework to allow its incorporation?
Question 3:
How did Galileo's social context differ from most scientists' today? Wong & Hodson (2009) describe features of science today in terms of Science as a Social Practice. Do you think that Galileo's isolation near the end of his life and his limited means of communication throughout his career may have led to his unpopular decision to publish theories without testing?