Via Boing Boing and Wired:
Science is really about making models and about playing. Yes, playing. Playing isn’t just for kids, adults just get better toys. Look at the top image. This is a great example of playing. What is the goal of this paper-clip magnet interaction? There is no point except to play. That is still a great science experiment. I just wish grade level (and some college level) books would move away from defining things and stating pieces of science and focus on the playing part. Many science classes as they are taught now are like studying the different parts of a clarinet, but never playing any music.
Three Science Words We Should Stop Using | Wired Science | Wired.com
Points:
- The three words to stop using:
- Hypothesis
- Theory
- Scientific law
- The word to use instead: model. Examples:
- Physical model
- Mathematical model
- Conceptual model
Read the linked article to find out more about the scientist’s argument.