Chemistry professor Herb Ellison stresses importance of science literacy

In his keynote remarks at Honors Convocation in May, chemistry professor Herb Ellison emphasized the importance of science education for all students, asking his colleagues, ''Are we really doing our best to ensure that our graduates can make informed decisions on scientific matters that can have such huge impacts on the world?''

[To listen to the speech, click here (mp3 file).]

Ellison, who retired this spring after 47 years of teaching, urged the faculty to examine Wheaton's current graduation requirement of one yearlong science course (or two semester-long courses) per student. The tough challenges now confronting our world, he said, illustrate ''the need for a citizenry that is conversant with science... [and] the scientific method.'' With the serious threats posed by global warming, for example, we need educated voters who can ''read about the subject and elect officials who will act in the best interests of all.... Can we do this by requiring just one science course?''

Ellison said that when the Wheaton faculty retained the science graduation requirement in the 1970s, they were acknowledging that ''science was a most important part of a liberal arts education, and one that had to be actively pushed, since it is hard.''

The role of science education is even more crucial today, he said. ''The impact of science on modern culture has been so strong and so pervasive that some degree of scientific literacy is required of a well-informed citizen of any of today's worlds, whether intellectual, political, economic or social.''

Liberal arts colleges play a key role in educating a scientifically literate populace, said Ellison, who has taught every course in the Chemistry Department except organic chemistry and who has served stints as associate dean of advising, acting dean of advising, acting dean of the college and acting provost. ''We need people who know how to think,'' he said, and he urged the seniors always to ''keep on learning.''

''Using good science and good sense, it should be possible to save our planet,'' Ellison concluded.

To listen to Ellison's convocation speech, click here (mp3 file).