In 1994 something new appeared in the Corning area — the Science & Discovery Center. Like all projects it’s had fits and starts, and ups and downs, and changes of direction. There was drop-in location on Market Street, then at Arnot Mall, then at the Wings of Eagles. Sad to say, the fondly-remembered drop-in spot, with its hands-on science fun, is no more. But through all that the SDC has brought working scientists and experiential science to thousands of students in dozens of schools, camps, museums, and libraries.
The twentieth century gave birth to a new field of literature: science fiction. However interesting that may have been on its own, it sprang from a far deeper, more significant development.
Science was affecting and changing the lives of ordinary people.
Once the domain of dabblers, often leading to interesting but not-especially-relevant discoveries, science now filled homes with electric lights; telephones; radio; Thermos bottles; aspirin; Pyrex. People lived longer, and fewer children died. Science seemed like a miracle worker.
Soon, though, people learned that “the lights of a perverted science,” to use Winston Churchill’s words, could be turned to dangerous ends. New forms of pollution arose… including radiation from nuclear bombs. Scientists invented poison gas. Science enabled new forms of domestic espionage even as it facilitated communication, education, and entertainment.
Ordinary citizens, especially voting citizens, face more and more important decisions relating to science. But again and again American students are near the bottom of the developed world in mastery of math and science concepts, and even behind many developing countries. On one recent assessment we dropped six places in six years. The general public is doing no better.
The Science & Discovery Center (www.sdcsciencecenter.org) aims at moving science past a boring subject that has to be “gotten through.” The joy of science activity, the thrill of science discovery, should be part of every student’s birthright. If those joys and thrills are in fact part of student life, they can only lead to greater lifelong enthusiasm for science, and better-informed decision making.
Better trained teachers, better presentation of key concepts, and especially experiential learning, will all help. Data from the National Science Foundation recently indicated that the majority of educators teaching math and science didn’t have certification in those areas. The SDC tries to help teachers and bring much-needed resources to the school. Their mobile lab is their most visible offering, but they also deliver in-class learning modules, large-group science presentations, teacher workshops, special programs for dedicated special-education settings, and more.
We should point out that a center such as this, and offerings such as these, are almost unprecedented in a community this size. Science has a particular importance in our community, which is home to a major high-tech corporation. The SDC helps students become enthusiastic about it… around 20,000 students in a dozen districts a year. The future of science is the future of our world.