Students need to learn not only the basic principles of mathematics and science, but also how to process and analyze the information they receive. Without the ability to think critically and independently, students, and thereby the general public, become susceptible to misinformation and fall prey to the fallacies of junk science.

 

Throughout our elementary and secondary school training, we have been conditioned to accept most of the information we have been taught as factual. In science classes today, there is not enough emphasis on the value of testing hypothesis and challenging theories. Current practice tends to emphasize results rather than processes, to rely heavily on memorization of facts rather than the understanding of concepts. See Rote.