Andrew: Great writing...thank you. In addition to what you have observed, there is, as you know a sad anti-science/anti-knowledge movement at work among some of our populace. That, and just less time that people are outside without laptops, phones, radios, earbuds, etc. Keep up the good work. If you ever drive up through the Upper Peninsula, let me know as it would be good to meet you and I'll buy you a coffee...or lunch!
Thank you Gregg!! And of course you are right re: anti science and too much tech. Nasty combo right there. I will def keep your offer in mind. I've been talking about getting to the UP again for some time. I need to start making good on that threat!
Excellent piece Andrew! I completely agree that personal experience/connection with the natural world is essential - and often lacking.
I have but one quibble - and it’s not with you, it’s with Wikipedia’s view of the “scientific method”. The diagram implies that hypotheses are always tested with “experiments”. They aren’t. Some hypotheses are not testable with experiments - they are tested by further observation. For example, a hundred years ago somebody must have hypothesized that there were planets around other stars. That hypothesis was tested (and found to be correct) by more careful observation, with better tools - not by experiment.
I became sensitized to this when former students told me “evolution is not science, because it can’t be tested by experiment”. Obviously, SOME aspects of evolution CAN be tested experimentally, but the evolutionary history of life on Earth (no - humans and dinosaurs [except birds] did not cohabitate!) can only be tested by observation - and that is STILL science…👍
THAT is a great question! When I was director of our Bio Program we did talk about - and actually DO - things about that. The program sponsored field trip courses. I led 18 such trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. BUT - as you can probably guess - these were “voluntary” activities that were not rewarded in any significant way. The structure of higher ed rewards grant dollars and publications - not providing difficult and expensive, but deeply meaningful experiences for students…🤷. I’m not sure whether the program is actively offering field trip courses currently.
We do have a field station here - Iowa Lakeside Lab. I took a very impactful course there as a student. Many years later I taught courses there. But - it’s not well-funded and there seems to be diminishing interest on the part of students. I no longer teach there because it was so difficult to get enrollment in my (admittedly, “niche”) course in lichen diversity…☹️.
So… I don’t know…🤔. All we can do is keep trying. But - I fear that young people today have so many other (and typically more comfortable) ways to spend their time that time in nature will be far too little…😢.
While we are writing, and given your experience in higher ed....
Do you think it's possible to better foster that nature connection in students somehow? What are the best ways? Does this need to more explicitly be part of the mission of institutions going forward. Did y'all ever talk about such things in curricular design and the like? I am always curious about how other smart people are trying to impact students in positive ways.
Andrew: Great writing...thank you. In addition to what you have observed, there is, as you know a sad anti-science/anti-knowledge movement at work among some of our populace. That, and just less time that people are outside without laptops, phones, radios, earbuds, etc. Keep up the good work. If you ever drive up through the Upper Peninsula, let me know as it would be good to meet you and I'll buy you a coffee...or lunch!
Gregg
Escanaba
Thank you Gregg!! And of course you are right re: anti science and too much tech. Nasty combo right there. I will def keep your offer in mind. I've been talking about getting to the UP again for some time. I need to start making good on that threat!
Excellent piece Andrew! I completely agree that personal experience/connection with the natural world is essential - and often lacking.
I have but one quibble - and it’s not with you, it’s with Wikipedia’s view of the “scientific method”. The diagram implies that hypotheses are always tested with “experiments”. They aren’t. Some hypotheses are not testable with experiments - they are tested by further observation. For example, a hundred years ago somebody must have hypothesized that there were planets around other stars. That hypothesis was tested (and found to be correct) by more careful observation, with better tools - not by experiment.
I became sensitized to this when former students told me “evolution is not science, because it can’t be tested by experiment”. Obviously, SOME aspects of evolution CAN be tested experimentally, but the evolutionary history of life on Earth (no - humans and dinosaurs [except birds] did not cohabitate!) can only be tested by observation - and that is STILL science…👍
THAT is a great question! When I was director of our Bio Program we did talk about - and actually DO - things about that. The program sponsored field trip courses. I led 18 such trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. BUT - as you can probably guess - these were “voluntary” activities that were not rewarded in any significant way. The structure of higher ed rewards grant dollars and publications - not providing difficult and expensive, but deeply meaningful experiences for students…🤷. I’m not sure whether the program is actively offering field trip courses currently.
We do have a field station here - Iowa Lakeside Lab. I took a very impactful course there as a student. Many years later I taught courses there. But - it’s not well-funded and there seems to be diminishing interest on the part of students. I no longer teach there because it was so difficult to get enrollment in my (admittedly, “niche”) course in lichen diversity…☹️.
So… I don’t know…🤔. All we can do is keep trying. But - I fear that young people today have so many other (and typically more comfortable) ways to spend their time that time in nature will be far too little…😢.
While we are writing, and given your experience in higher ed....
Do you think it's possible to better foster that nature connection in students somehow? What are the best ways? Does this need to more explicitly be part of the mission of institutions going forward. Did y'all ever talk about such things in curricular design and the like? I am always curious about how other smart people are trying to impact students in positive ways.
Ha! I totally agree! I may need to replace that figure. Lol.
Emerson writes beautifully and you add something like - we see only if we look. Thanks for these thoughts.
I enjoyed our early preview conversation on this and similar topics!