Exploring Science Literacy Earns International Award

It’s been said the bane of scientific inquiry is the jargon that makes it inaccessible to some of us. However, jargon is simply invented concept labels for experiences, ideas, procedures, and explanations. Retired UVic education professor Dr. Larry Yore’s career has been dominated by his desire to understand why science is, almost by definition, only attractive to certain people when it is such a critical and essential area of human understanding, which is why the Virginia-based National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) has given him its 2012 Distinguished Contributions to Science Education through Research Award.
       “This award is a nice way to end a formal career,” said Yore, who retired from the University of Victoria this year and is now a Distinguished Professor Emeritus. As such, he has been invited to give a “Masterminds” public lecture in April entitled “Challenging Science Illiteracy: Celebrating Canadian Successes and Building for the Future.”
       “It also encourages me to stay active in research,” he said upon hearing the news of his award. “More importantly, it validates the area of research that looks at language’s roles in constructing, reporting, and persuading others about science as scientists do, teachers teach, and students learn science for other researchers to continue. Making science accessible for all citizens is a major mainstream concern.”
        “This is the most prestigious award and highest honour that can be bestowed by NARST on scholars in the field of science education,” says Dr. Robert Anthony, chair of UVic’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction. “This is a significant award that recognizes Larry’s distinguished career as a science educator and faculty member.”

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