Scientific Citizenship: Connecting Physics and Society

Questions and Conversations at Fermilab

The theme of the 2008 Quadrennial Congress of Sigma Pi Sigma, held at the Department of Energy's Fermilab this coming November, raises serious issues we might ponder in advance. The questions below are offered in the hope of their being catalysts to the Congress discussions.

(1) How should the physics community reward its members who engage the public, whether that engagement be through popularizations, teaching K-12, serving on school boards, advocating the values of science...?

(2) How can we show school boards, parents, and pupils the difference between "reasoning based on evidence," and having a mind so"open" that one is reluctant to assert anything?

(3) How can we have a conversation with school communities on
the different kinds of questions addressed by science and by religion?

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• Summer 2004