Science in Everyday Life

From the sounding of the digital alarm clock, science impacts modern society every day. The clean—and hot—water in the shower is provided by scientific process as is the electricity that powers the home, as well as its cooling and heating methods. Fixing the eggs for breakfast is a chemical process (as is the added toast and a microwaved sausage link.) A piece of fruit likely was impacted by high-yield agricultural techniques. What plants are safe to eat? What ones are most nutritious? What do you do when one creates an allergic reaction? Check science.

Need the weather predictions? That’s science. The car—its engine and gasoline and safe-as-possible carbon dioxide emissions—plus the asphalt it drives on, the plastic lid on the coffee cup, and the ever-present cellphones all are evidence of the place of science in everyday living.

The airport, the hospital, the power plant—temples to science. The justice system relies on forensics that might address anything from identifying skin cells to plants grown only in certain parts of the world. Live near an earthquake fault line or in the path of hurricanes? Science provides information for safer living.

Children are safe to go to school because of vaccinations and the eradication of life-threatening disease, plus the availability of antibiotics. The nation’s defense system is based upon science.

How many children complain about studying science sure they’ll never use it outside a classroom? They should think again.

Comments? Email editor@austincollege.edu.