Let's Talk Science
Arthur J. Carty
Check against delivery.
Partnership Program Conference
London, ON
11 June 2005
Thank you Bonnie for your kind introduction. It's a real pleasure to address
such a dedicated group of volunteers involved in two of my favourite subjects -
science education and science literacy. As you all know by now, I assumed the
position of National Science Advisor a little over a year ago. As the National
Science Advisor, I provide sound, independent, non-partisan advice on science
issues, directions and priorities for Canada to government and the Prime
Minister. However, today I would like to step outside that role and talk to you
as a scientist and as a science educator - have been engaged in for over forty
years as well as about the importance of communicating!
Communication is central to the pursuit of science - whether that be the
communication within a research team, the scientific community, with the public
or students. I am confident that all of you are very familiar with both the
challenges and rewards associated with communicating science to a diverse
audience. So, I would like to start off with a joke which illustrates the
challenges we face as science educators and communicators.
During a break in a meeting a politician and a journalist took a walk in a
park, when a frog suddenly jumped out in front of them and started to speak:
"I am a scientist who has been put under a spell. If you break the spell by
lifting me up and kissing me I will serve you forever!"
The journalist said to the politician: "Wouldn't that be something for
you? Just imagine, you would always have an expert on hand to give you
scientific advice!" But the politician said: "No, better not. We all
know what scientists are like, they talk too much, know everything better than
you and always want to be the centre of attention. But it would be ideal for
you! Editorial offices don't often have science writers, or if they do, they are
not always very well informed. He would be really valuable for you. So, go on,
pick up the frog and kiss him!" The journalist picked up the frog and
looked at it briefly before putting it in his pocket. The politician was amazed
and asked "Why did you put the frog in your pocket instead of kissing
him?" To which the journalist replied "Because a talking frog is a
hundred times more interesting for the media than the best scientist".
Science has played an important historical role in the development of many
cultures just think of the Greeks and mathematics, the Romans and their
incredible engineering prowess in building aquaducts and waterways but its
current impact at all levels of society and the influence of technology on all
aspects of our lives is truly without precedent. Not only is a strong base in
science and technology crucial for future job opportunities, it is now an
integral part of being an informed citizen. Every decision government has to
make has a science element to it. Issues such as climate change, security, and
health are complex scientific issues that the public faces each day. In
addition, advancing frontiers of science such as genomics and genetically
modified organisms gene therapy, cloning and stem cell research are increasingly
raising social, ethical, environmental, economic and legal issues. The Korean
team which successfully developed the first lines of stem cells which exactly
match a patient's DNA through therapeutic cloning is a recent example. Leading
legal and ethics experts - both in Canada and internationally - have commented
extensively on this topic. Debates about science are and will continue to be
conducted in the most public fora including election campaigns.
Now let me just say a word about the current context in S&T in Canada
particularly the changed Research Environment. I have been in Canada for four
decades and I can assure you that this is the most exciting time in the last 50
years to be a scientist. It is a time of unparalleled opportunity when
governments are investing heavily in knowledge and innovation because they
recognise that this is the key to economic prosperity in today's new world.
Canada's goal is to become one of the top 5 most innovative, research intensive
nations in the world by 2010. One requirement will be to train or access 100,000
more scientists and engineers by the end of the decade. Others are to double
government investment in R&D and triple business investment. Big challenges
certainly but not impossible if we put our mind to it because an excellent
foundation has been set over the last 6 years. Dramatic impact I am sure that
through your work in local communities you are also investing in our science
base in a very real way. The fact is that unless we connect with and inspire our
youth through meaningful and stimulating learning experiences we will miss the
great opportunity created by the Federal Government's strong commitment to
science. Whether it is inspiring the next Frederick Banting or stimulating a
lifelong interest in science - you are ensuring that Canada has the knowledge
base for continued competitiveness and success. Let's Talk Science Partnerships
makes science exciting and accessible for children so they can help form the
future ranks of university science students, post doctoral fellows and
professors. Regardless of a child's future career path, discovery-based learning
of science will stimulate the critical thinking, the analytical methodology,
contextual understanding, and problem solving skills that are crucial for an
innovative population.
The science literacy that I am advocating has two facets. It is both the
knowledge of scientific principles that facilitate the understanding of science
and technology as well as these critical thinking and analytical skills learned
through the study of science which are applicable to all aspects of life. That
is why science literacy is so important - so that Canadians will have active,
informed and innovative citizens to propel ourselves into the 21st century.
However, educators increasingly have to compete for children's attention.
People are being bombarded with information from television, multi-media and
most significantly the internet. The challenge of engaging children in science
is simultaneously becoming more difficult and more important. That is why
programs like the Let's Talk Science's Partnership Program are all the more
critical. Discovery-based learning of science teaches the essential lifelong
skills of critical thinking, problem-solving, and a capacity for using
scientific knowledge to evaluate the world. As Albert Einstein once said and I
quote "It is the supreme art of the teacher, to awaken joy in creative
expression and knowledge."
This is one reason why I am so encouraged when I hear about innovative ways
to promote science to youth. Recently, I was made aware of a program called
Students on Ice - a Canadian organization dedicated to taking high school
students, teachers and scientists from around the world on educational learning
expeditions to Antarctica and the Arctic. This year Students on Ice has
partnered with the Arctic Council circumpolar countries and a number of national
and international organizations to undertake the Arctic Youth Environmental
Leadership Expedition. During this unique experience, the 80 students from
around the world will draft an Arctic Youth Statement of Climate Change which
will be tabled by a youth delegation at the upcoming International Kyoto
Protocol meeting in Montreal later this year and will be an important stepping
stone in preparing the way for Canada's participation in the International Polar
Year in 2007-08.
I have also been impressed by the exceptional efforts your coordinators have
gone to over the past year to reach children and make a lifelong difference.
Hearing about outreach efforts to First Nations groups, museum programs,
conferences, science fairs and numerous other innovative ways to connect with
today's busy children is inspiring. One of the organizers of this event even
alluded to a particularly dedicated group of volunteers who completed an
ambitious 800km, 3 day excursion to visit schools which involved two ferry trips
through pack ice, a pack of caribou and around polar bear! I am certain there
are innumerable stories about coordinators and volunteers going above and beyond
to make a difference. So as a scientist, as an educator, and as my current role
as National Science Advisor, I would like to applaud your efforts and encourage
you to continue to instil a love and understanding of science throughout our
communities. I would like to leave you with another quote by Albert Einstein,
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious."
Encouraging our youth to be passionately curious - to question, to think and to
reason their way to understanding - this is an important and often
underappreciated contribution to our country and society.
I'm going to finish off with an Einstein story - after all this is the 100th
anniversary of Einstein's Annus Mirabilis - the publication of the theory of
relativity, the special theory of relativity and his description and theory of
the photoelectric effect.
… So in terms of direction and leadership "Let's Talk Science"
has got it right - keep up the good work.
Thank you again for the opportunity to talk about something that I believe
strongly in and I look forward to hearing about Let's Talk Science in the years
to come.
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