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As science is more important to the human race today than
ever before, it is important that our country monitor the scientific
achievements and abilities of its students, in order to keep
up with the rest of the fast-paced world. Learning is not only
fun, but an understanding of science is important for any career
in today's technology-crazed society, and will continue to be
so, as long as mankind's knowledge of science continues to prosper. |
Science has an enormous influence on our lives. It provides the
basis of much of modern technology, the tools, materials, techniques
and sources of power that make our lives and work easier. If
science had never been developed, the world as we know it would
be very different. Today, we can watch live events in the comfort
of our living room, speak to a friend anywhere in the world,
and send a letter to the opposite side of the earth in a matter
of seconds. Every day doctors save lives and are able to treat
and cure once life threatening diseases, with the use of new,
sophisticated equipment, procedures and drugs. Man has walked
on the moon, and robots have searched the surface of Mars. The
discoveries of scientists help to shape our views about ourselves
and our universe. From the Egyptian's discovery of bronze, to
today's altering of an organism's genetic makeup, the evolution
of science is an ongoing phenomenon.
The scientific process is faster today than ever before, affected
not only by many discoveries made each year, but also by the
thousands of scientists involved in research and the vast sums
of money spent on scientific work. As the number of scientists
continues to increase, the cooperation and communication between
them is growing increasingly important. We live in an age of
knowledge explosion, and it is virtually impossible to know all
scientific theories or technologies.
However, as the importance of scientific literacy for all
citizens has become increasingly clear, it is important for Canada
to monitor students' scientific abilities so teachers can work
to improve any areas of weakness. The students of today will
become the scientists of tomorrow, and it is therefore necessary
that these students have a good understanding of modern sciences
and technologies, so that Canada will prosper among the other
developed countries of the world, and not be left behind. Furthermore,
science has become a conventional language, understood by the
world. Nevertheless, one must be taught to properly speak it,
not only to understand, but to convey the message to future generations.
By knowing how well its students are doing in science, Canada
is able to ensure a future of prosperity.
Today, people of every age and status are offered opportunities
for life-long learning, and entertainment based on an exploration
of our physical and technological world. The world of science
has become more inviting, and friendly and less obscure and distant,
drawing minds, particularly young minds, into science.
It can be enjoyed by watching television shows, reading magazines,
joining science clubs, visiting zoos, natural history museums,
and science centers. Learning about how our bodies function,
how things work and interact with each other, and why things
happen the way they do is greatly enjoyable. Piquing our curiosity,
science answers many questions, and quite often poses many more,
as our never-ending search for knowledge continues. From experiments
in the lab, to research papers, to reading and even class work,
science has become a truly enjoyable part of today's society.
As new discoveries continue to be made each day, repeated
observations and experiments lead scientists to revise existing
theories and propose new ideas. Even recent scientific theories
will eventually become outdated and will be replaced with newer
theories that explain more facts.
From the dawn of mankind, scientific knowledge has always
been growing and improving. Much of what separates our modern
way of life from that of our cave-dwelling forebears is the product
of science, and its sister field, technology. Every career available
today, in Canada and beyond, requires some scientific knowledge.
And more often than not, a minimum of highschool training is
not nearly enough. Even farming, for example, has become very
complex, and agricultural outputs have soared, as scientists
have developed better varieties of plants and more effective
fertilizers. With each passing day, and numerous discoveries,
mastery of new developments is of vital importance to all members
of today's undeniably science based society. The world has become
so complex that scientific literacy has become a necessity for
any job. With many unexplored areas, science promises to continue
to improve our understanding of the universe and to give us greater
control over our world.
Without the gradual accumulation of scientific knowledge over
thousands of years, many things would not be possible. Today,
scientists are able to examine the structure of galaxies and
the way microorganisms function. They may investigate the reasons
why we act the way we do, or prove complicated mathematical statements.
All scientists, no matter the field in which they work, explore
the workings and wonders of the world.
As new areas of scientific research continually emerge, it
is necessary that Canada ensures that its students learn of and
understand these accomplishments, so that when they emerge and
become the next generation of scientists, they too will develop
new and improved theories and concepts, and pass on the messages
and beauties of science. Ensuring generations yet to come a chance
to enjoy and satisfy their continuing curiosities. As scientific
knowledge continues to grow and improve, its importance and requirements
on the international job market will also increase. This phenomenon
will forever continue, as science and technologies continue to
evolve, and as the human race will continue to discover new things
with each passing day. |