Listening to the daily news, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed or helpless when hearing how communities throughout the world, including our own, are facing serious environmental issues such as pollution, degradation of natural resources and more frequent and intense droughts, forest fires and floods. Although federal- and state-level action is essential, it is not enough. These environmental issues are societal concerns, and effective solutions depend on having environmentally conscious and scientifically informed citizens.
The United States has seen a decline in the number of students who do well in science. Unsatisfactory performance in science can be linked to students doubting their ability to “do” science, and there is often a disconnect between science curriculum and real-world applications.
