Yes, go outside and collect drops of pond water to observe under the microscope. Or if one of the birds drops a feather bring it inside and out that under the microscope to witness the remarkable intricacies of feather anatomy. And yes, the retorts are a dangerous thing to have near the optics and mechanics of a microscope - plus, one would need safety glasses and that is less than ideal for microscopy.
Oh, I agree with Richard. The current climate especially down here in the States is getting so irrational and anti-science that we don't need anything implying, even innocently, that science is somehow irrelevant to "real" learning.
I feel the cartoon is spot on. Any teacher willing to take their class outdoors to explore and learn about the natural world around us is to be praised. Too many of today’s youth are more content to spend their time inside glued to a variety of devices as opposed to being outside appreciating nature.
I certainly don’t feel the cartoonist is calling into question the value of laboratory work but rather is pointing out that there is more to scientific learning than retorts and microscopes. During my undergraduate studies in ecology I learned as much useful knowledge during various field courses as I did in the lecture hall.
Perhaps instead of being annoyed you should credit your readers with a certain level discriminatory knowledge and interests. Certainly without it they probably wouldn’t subscribe to your missives.
Fair enough Doug … on the other hand the original placement of the cartoon was in a newsletter aimed at non-scientists for the most part. That, plus I do come across quite a lot of people who look down on lab work. Thanks for reading it.
Yes, go outside and collect drops of pond water to observe under the microscope. Or if one of the birds drops a feather bring it inside and out that under the microscope to witness the remarkable intricacies of feather anatomy. And yes, the retorts are a dangerous thing to have near the optics and mechanics of a microscope - plus, one would need safety glasses and that is less than ideal for microscopy.
Why don't they bring microscopes outside and be thrilled at what they see?
If they'd changed the microscopes into forgotten tablets and phones... the advertisers wouldn't be pleased.
Yes ... why not
Oh, boy...
Oh, I agree with Richard. The current climate especially down here in the States is getting so irrational and anti-science that we don't need anything implying, even innocently, that science is somehow irrelevant to "real" learning.
I feel the cartoon is spot on. Any teacher willing to take their class outdoors to explore and learn about the natural world around us is to be praised. Too many of today’s youth are more content to spend their time inside glued to a variety of devices as opposed to being outside appreciating nature.
I certainly don’t feel the cartoonist is calling into question the value of laboratory work but rather is pointing out that there is more to scientific learning than retorts and microscopes. During my undergraduate studies in ecology I learned as much useful knowledge during various field courses as I did in the lecture hall.
Perhaps instead of being annoyed you should credit your readers with a certain level discriminatory knowledge and interests. Certainly without it they probably wouldn’t subscribe to your missives.
Cheers!
Fair enough Doug … on the other hand the original placement of the cartoon was in a newsletter aimed at non-scientists for the most part. That, plus I do come across quite a lot of people who look down on lab work. Thanks for reading it.
Curious lab - retorts and microscopes next to one another?