Carl Sagan's Essay, "No Such Ting as a Dumd Question"

I believe Carl Sagan’s essay, “No Such Thing as a Dumb Question” focuses on the importance of educating students and the general public in science. In the past, educational training remained unchanged for long periods of time and traditions were passed down through the generations. We now live in a world that is rapidly transforming; from one generation to the next what needs to be learned and taught changes. This makes it much more difficult for teachers and scientists alike to recognize what information to teach and how to present it. Based on these findings, I think Carl Sagan’s controlling purpose is noted when he says, “I’m concerned not with producing a new generation of first-rate scientists and mathematicians, but a scientifically literate public.” Scientific literacy is important and can have dire consequences if it is not popularized.

You may be wondering, ‘What can I do to help bring about this change?’ In “No Such Thing”, Sagan talks about steps we can take to alter this dangerous path we are traveling down. During his teaching experience, Sagan says he felt privileged to teach young children whom he called “natural born scientists.” These children displayed enthusiasm, curiosity, and insightfulness in their questioning. “They’ve never heard of the notion of a ‘dumb question.’’’ Through peer pressure, diminished expectations, lack of role models, and boredom, as we grow older we lose this sense of wonder about the world and why things work as they do. Many adults dislike it when children ask abstract scientific questions. Both parents and teachers may get aggravated with them or avoid the children’s questions altogether. If this pattern persists “another child will be lost to science.” Children need hands on experience rather than memorization to get a vivid sense of what they are learning. Curiosity, innovation, and drive are part of the American ideal. When we lose these things, when we lose our “‘Yankee ingenuity’”, we lose our...