"Education has no higher purpose than preparing people to lead personally fulfilling and responsible lives. For its part, science education-meaning education in science, mathematics, and technology- should help students to develop the understandings and habits of mind they need to become compassionate human beings able to think of themselves and to face life head on.
It should equip them also to participate thoughtfully with fellow citizens in building and protecting a society that is open, decent, and vital. America's future- its ability to create a truly just society, to sustain its economic vitality, and to remain secure in a world torn by hostilities depends more than ever on the character and quality of the education that the nation provides for all of its children. There is more at stake, however, than individual self-fulfillment and the immediate national interest of the United States. The most serious problems that humans now face are global. Diminishing energy resources, accelerating climate change, the shrinking of tropical rain forests and other sources of species diversity, the pollution of the environment, disease, social strife, the extreme inequities in the distribution of the earth's wealth, the huge investment of human intellect and scarce resources in preparing for and conducting war; the list is long and it is alarming. How will today's children cope with these and other problems in their communities, nation, and world? How will we, as teachers, equip children, families, and communities, to thrive?"
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