Educating from a scientific culture: an imperative for the knowledge society

Abstract

The importance of scientific culture has grown with technological progress and artificial intelligence. This culture encompasses knowledge, attitudes and values about science and scientific progress, highlighting education as a fundamental pillar in its promotion. The promotion of critical thinking and understanding of scientific principles is reflected in educational initiatives such as science museums and science outreach programs, which allow people to interact with concepts in an accessible and playful way.

Information literacy is crucial for valuing, analyzing and effectively using the information available in the scientific field, enriching critical thinking and promoting informed citizenship. Accessibility to diverse sources of information facilitates the understanding of complex concepts and democratizes scientific knowledge to people outside academia, thus promoting a broader culture of scientific discussion and understanding in society.

The incorporation of information literacy in formal education creates a bridge between science and society, fostering a culture of inquiry from an early age. This improves academic performance and cultivates an interest in science, preparing students to address societal challenges critically and responsibly. Furthermore, in higher education, a scientific culture drives a new educational paradigm based on inquiry and discovery, fostering the acquisition of technical skills and personal and social development.

Training students with a scientific culture equips them with the skills to address complex problems in an innovative way, develop projects and work in teams, skills that are highly valued in all sectors. This enables them to become agents of change in their communities and in society in general. The ability to search for and manage information effectively, as well as to process documentary information and make summaries, are essential skills in the academic and professional environment.

Being educated from a scientific culture not only benefits students, but also enables them to support their peers and junior researchers, promoting collaborative academic communities. In a knowledge society, education and the promotion of scientific culture are fundamental for the integral development of individuals and to face challenges critically and responsibly in an increasingly digitalized and competitive world.