National Public Science Day
Embracing the curiosity and wonder that fuel exploration, discovery, and a deeper understanding of the world around us.
Each and every day, people all over the world live their lives under the influence and with the help of the wonderful world of science! Whether feeding their families, making a phone call, painting a portrait, or riding in a car, various aspects of science and technology are always surrounding humans with the impact that they make on the planet.
National Public Science Day is here to raise awareness about and show appreciation for the vital role that the various disciplines of science play in the modern daily lives of almost every person on the planet.
History of National Public Science Day
For more than 30 years, National Public Science Day has been an event that takes place throughout the United States with the purpose of highlighting the importance of emerging science issues. Getting its start in 1989, through the sponsorship of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, this day acts as a chance for the general public to get educated and learn more about science through various opportunities, seminars, debates, discussions and so much more.
In addition to providing ways that the public can get more involved with and learn about science, National Public Science Day is also a time that scientists around the world may be honored and shown appreciation for their hard work in their various fields. Plus, it is also a time that non-profit organizations and educational establishments may award promising students with scholarships and grants so that they can continue in their studies with the resources and support they need.
Have some fun, learn something new, and get involved with promoting more about science through the celebration and observation of National Public Science Day!
How to Celebrate National Public Science Day
Want to get involved with National Public Science Day? Take a look at some of these ideas for participating in activities and events that can help the world to engage a little better with science on this day and all throughout the year:
Learn More About Science
Students, children, and adults alike can enjoy some exciting and interesting new adventures into the world of science when they celebrate National Public Science Day. Teachers and parents can create special lessons about science in celebration of the day, while people who are just general science buffs might want to share some fun facts on social media.
A few years ago, Pew Research made a survey that indicated what Americans know about science, and here are some of the interesting results, including the percentage of people who knew the right answer to each question:
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Water boils at a lower temperature at high altitudes (34%)
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The loudness of a sound wave is determined by amplitude or height (35%)
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A light-year is a measure of distance (72%)
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Ocean tides are created by the gravitational pull of the moon (76%)
Watch Some Science Shows or Documentaries
One of the most engaging ways to learn about various aspects of science in celebration of National Public Science Day might be to get involved through watching some shows, films or documentaries that have been made on the subject. Visual narratives and explanations of science can be particularly compelling, especially for children. Take some time in honor of this day to watch and learn with science shows, getting started with some of these:
- Planet Earth (2006). This unique BBC TV mini series continues to wow audiences with its exceptional video footage of various wildlife that can be found on the planet.
- Cosmos: A Space Time Odyssey (2014). An American science documentary, this one is a follow-up to the beloved television series of the same name that was published in the 1980s.
- Connected: The Hidden Science of Everything (2020). A science journalist explores the nuanced and unexpected connections between humans, nature, science, and the entire universe.
- Absurd Planet (2020). Another documentary that explores nature, particularly within the realm of the quirky and unusual animal kingdom.
Consider Important Dates in Science History
In honor and celebration of National Public Science Day, perhaps it would be a fun lesson, for adults or kids, to learn about some important dates in the history of science. After all, when people take a look at how far humans have come, it can be inspiring to think about the ways that science could be used to solve problems and make progress for the future!
Check out some of these dates and do some research to learn more about them:
- 1953 – Discovery of the DNA helix structure by scientists James Watson and Francis Crick, though it had been previously identified in the 1800s by Swiss Scientist Friedrich Miescher.
- 1928 – Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin, which changes everything for medical science.
- 1864 – French scientist Louis Pasteur names the Germ Theory of Disease as his hypothesis of sickness.
- 1609 – Galileo Galilei invents the refracting telescope, providing opportunities for man to see far into space.
