Pandia Press Presents: Why Neutral Science isn’t Neutral, with Blair Lee (Ep #63, 6/4/16)

(Show recording is at the bottom of the page)

In this episode, the moms share the final part of their 2 part Secular Science Resource series, with an interview with Pandia Press author and scientist Blair Lee: Why Neutral Science isn’t Neutral.

Links in this Episode:

Beckie’s new pencil sharpener

Why the earth is heating so fast

Blair Lee’s Blog

Blair Lee’s Facebook page

SEA Homeschoolers Facebook page

SEA Homeschoolers Blog

Home|School|Life Magazine

REAL Science Odyssey

Info from this Episode:

Secular science curricula and programs present the accepted facts, principles, models, and theories explaining how the natural and physical world works as recommended by a majority of practicing experts in that area of science. Science curricula and programs should not exclude or misrepresent scientific facts, principles, models, or theories that are considered core ideas in the field.

Specifically, science curricula and programs will not be reviewed if they do the following:

• Minimize, misrepresent, or omit accepted scientific facts, principles, models, or theories
• Incorporate religious philosophy into the curriculum or program
• Politicize science issues in a way that misrepresents the issues

What to look for in science courses

• The inclusion of evolution
• Is the word design used in place of the word evolution
• Is the word created or creation used when discussing how organisms, the universe, or matter came into existence? Organisms evolved; they were not created.

Know your definitions –

• Science theory – A scientific theory is a widely accepted explanation of something observed in science. Theories are based on experimentation, observation, and reasoning—the scientific method.
• Scientific model – A scientific model is a simplified representation of a real system. Scientific models make it possible to study large, complex scientific principles and systems. Scientific models use the scientific method.

Books in this Episode:

Tina:

Together ~
Rick Riordan books:

• The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson #4)
• The Last Olympian (#5)
• The Lost Hero (Heroes of Olympus #1)
• The Son of Neptune (#2)
• The Mark of Athena (#3)

Other:

• A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Maeven (age 15) ~

• A Tale of Time City by Diana Wynne Jones
• Sojourner Truth: Ain’t I a Woman? by Patricia C. McKissack
• Escaping Peril (Wings of Fire #8) by Tui T. Sutherland

Historical picture books/quick reads:

• The Patchwork Path: A Quilt Map to Freedom by Bettye Stroud
• Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine
• The Daring Escape of Ellen Craft by Cathy Moore
• The Civil War: An Interactive History Adventure by Matt Doeden

Tyren (age 10) ~

• Colossus Rises (Seven Wonders series #1) by Peter Lerangis
• Lost in Babylon (#2)
• Tomb of Shadows (#3)
• Curse of the King (#4)
• The Legend of the Rift (#5)
• The Golden Door (#1, Three Doors trilogy) by Emily Rodda
• The Silver Door (#2)
• The Third Door (#3)

Me ~

• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• The Orphan of Ellis Island by Elvira Woodruff
• Waterfall (River of Time #1) by Lisa Tawn Bergren
• Cascade (#2)
• Torrent (#3)
• A Window Opens by Elisabeth Egan
• The Princess Bride by William Goldman
• American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Beckie:

Me ~

• Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
• Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt
• Necronomicon by HP Lovecraft
• Geek Parenting: What Joffery, Jor-El, Maleficent and The McFlys Can Teach Us About Raising A Family by Stephen Segal
• Comixology Unlimited

Dani – (age 13) The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Links of the Week:

Beckie: We Are Teachers
Tina: Burning Cargo–sadly, this game died when Flash went away.

This Episode Sponsored by:

Pandia Press – Publisher of REAL Science Odyssey and History Odyssey. Check out their fantastic Try Before you Buy! Learn more at www.pandiapress.com.