FAQS+-+ROLE

=THE "ROLE" OF SCIENCE=

During the 20th century, science played an increasingly important role in the lives of all Canadians. It underpins much of what we now take for granted, from life-saving pharmaceuticals to clean water, the places we live and work in, computers and other information technologies, and how we communicate with others. The impact of science on our lives will continue to grow as the 21st century unfolds. Consequently, scientific literacy for all has become a goal of science education throughout the world.

Achieving a high level of scientific literacy is not the same as becoming a scientist. The notion of thriving in a science-based world applies as much to a small-business person, a lawyer, a construction worker, a car mechanic, or a travel agent as it does to a doctor, an engineer, or a research scientist. While the specific knowledge and skills required for each of these occupations vary, the basic goal of thriving in a science-based world remains the same. Science courses have been designed for a wide variety of students, taking into account their interests and possible postsecondary destinations. The overall intention is that all PECI graduates will achieve excellence and a high degree of scientific literacy while maintaining a sense of wonder about the world around them.