Science and Ethics

Advances in technology, medicine, and science have affected every aspect of our lives, in ways that we may not realize. This class explores facets of STEM research that may be at odds with societal beliefs. What are the consequences of that? How can we trust that the science is real, or important? And then, what do we do with that information?

Once we understand how science works and some of the research behind these issues, we will debate what society should do about it. Students will have the opportunity to explore topics such as epigenetics, water allocation, epidemics, “Big Pharm,” social media delivery, and job automation.

Prerequisites: 1 year of high school science

Instructor: Alyssa Hartson

DETAILS:

Suggested age range: 13+

Outside work: Podcasts, articles, videos, and individual research. Approximately 2-3 hours/week.

When & where: Tuesdays on Zoom from 2:00 - 3:00 Eastern Time, Sept. 6 - Nov. 22, 2022.

Fee: $200 ungraded/$250 graded; this includes a non-refundable registration fee of $10. We offer discounts for groups, siblings, and students who enroll in multiple classes. (Discount information.) Payment plans available. Fees waived for families with financial need.  (Waivers and payment plan information.) Questions about how classes work? Read our course FAQ.

Photo credit: Laura Fokkena