When most people think of science, they picture white lab coats, microscopes, and complex equations. I used to be one of those people. But over the years, both as a biologist and an educator, I’ve realized that science isn’t confined to labs or research journals—it’s a way of thinking that everyone benefits from, whether you’re planting a garden, running a business, or making personal decisions about health and the environment.

Scientific literacy isn’t about memorizing facts or performing experiments perfectly. It’s about understanding how the world works, asking good questions, and evaluating evidence. It’s a skill that allows students to navigate a world full of misinformation, make informed decisions, and contribute meaningfully to society. And yet, far too often, science education is treated as a specialized track reserved for “future scientists,” leaving many students without this essential toolkit.

Why Scientific Literacy Matters

One of the first lessons I learned in biology is the importance of evidence. You can’t just assume that something is true because it sounds convincing or fits your personal beliefs—you have to test it, observe it, and weigh the data. This principle isn’t just useful in research; it’s invaluable in everyday life. From evaluating news articles and understanding climate change to deciding whether a health claim is trustworthy, scientific literacy gives students the tools to separate fact from fiction.

I’ve seen students gain confidence when they learn to think critically like scientists. It’s not about memorizing the periodic table or the parts of a cell—it’s about learning to ask questions like, “What evidence supports this claim?” or “How can I test this idea?” That skill translates into better problem-solving, decision-making, and even leadership later in life.

Science in Everyday Life

Many people assume that science is only relevant for doctors, engineers, or researchers. But in truth, science is everywhere. When you cook a meal, you’re applying chemistry. When you track your budget or plan a garden, you’re using logic and observation. When you consider environmental issues in your community, you’re thinking like an ecologist.

I like to tell my students that science is a lens—a way of seeing the world. If we train students to use that lens, they’re better equipped to understand the consequences of their actions, evaluate solutions, and contribute to discussions about society’s biggest challenges. Scientific literacy empowers people to make choices grounded in evidence rather than opinion or hearsay. 

One of my favorite stories to tell about students and how they can think in completely original ways without biasing assumptions is when I asked an environmental science class why ordinary clean rainfall was slightly acidic. The answer I was looking for involved the role that dissolved CO2 plays in lowering the pH of rainwater. One student-athlete said that it was due to the acid that comes from the soil. Ordinarily, this would be a “nice try” kind of answer that a professor would show appreciation for, but not stop the flow of the conversation in order to get to the “right” answer. However, this answer gave me pause. This was tremendously creative and worth exploring further with the class. The student’s instincts were a powerful launch point about creativity, new ideas, and hypothesis-testing. We explored the possibility that soil-water evaporation might, perhaps, bring the soil’s organic acids into the atmosphere. Acidic aerosols derived from the soil is a completely natural process and one that could add acidity to the atmosphere. How come no one had considered this before? Has it been explored? How would we test for it? Is there anything in the peer-reviewed literature about this? This is how new ideas emerge no matter what the context.

Breaking Down Barriers

One of the challenges in education is that many students think science is intimidating or “not for them.” I’ve met students who felt they weren’t smart enough to study biology or chemistry, only to discover that once they approached it as a skill to be developed rather than a test of innate ability, they could grasp concepts and even enjoy the process. The student athlete in the above story was such a student.

Part of my role as an educator has been to make science approachable and relevant. Hands-on learning, connecting concepts to real-life experiences, and showing the practical side of science can break down those barriers. Scientific literacy shouldn’t be an exclusive club; it should be a foundation available to everyone.

Building Critical Thinkers

At its heart, science is about curiosity. It’s about noticing patterns, asking questions, testing ideas, and being willing to change your mind when the evidence points in a new direction. These are critical life skills. They help students navigate complex social issues, understand technology, and engage with public policy.

Scientific literacy doesn’t just create future scientists—it creates informed citizens. When students understand how to evaluate evidence and think critically, they’re better prepared to vote thoughtfully, discuss controversial topics respectfully, and participate in their communities with confidence.

Preparing Students for a Complex World

We live in a world of rapid change. New technologies, environmental challenges, and social issues emerge constantly. Students who are scientifically literate have an advantage: they can analyze information, adapt to new situations, and innovate solutions to problems we haven’t even imagined yet.

This is why science education matters in every classroom, not just in advanced or specialized tracks. It’s about giving students the skills to think for themselves, ask good questions, and evaluate answers. Every student, regardless of their future career path, benefits from these skills.

A Personal Reflection

I still remember the first time I realized that science wasn’t just about memorizing facts. I was observing wood decomposition in a forest, noting how fungi and microbes interacted with decaying material and plant roots. At first, it seemed like a very narrow, technical study—but then I started to see the bigger picture: ecosystems, patterns, connections, and processes that applied far beyond the forest floor. That moment made me realize that scientific thinking isn’t about a subject; it’s about a perspective.

If every student could experience even a fraction of that “aha” moment—seeing the world through a lens of curiosity and evidence—their ability to navigate life, solve problems, and make informed decisions would be dramatically enhanced. That’s why scientific literacy matters. It’s not about producing scientists; it’s about producing thoughtful, capable, and curious citizens.

Science isn’t just for scientists. It’s a toolkit for life, a way of thinking that helps students understand the world, evaluate information, and make decisions grounded in evidence. Every student deserves access to this toolkit, and every educator has the opportunity to make science engaging, approachable, and relevant.

By fostering scientific literacy, we equip students with the skills to think critically, solve problems, and navigate a complex, changing world. That’s not just good education—it’s essential for a society that hopes to thrive in the 21st century.