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Teach Historically, Teach Inductively

Posted by Michael Gold - January 14, 2021 - Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Child Development, College, Economics, Education, Geology, History, Homeschooling, Logic, Parenting, Philosophy, Physics, Science

Teach historically. Students need to learn the logic, concept-formation, fallacy identification, induction (i.e., generalization), conceptual integration (i.e., making connections, or “theory building”), and thinking skills that only teaching historically (or in a related way) affords. In “Teaching Heat: the Rise and Fall of the Caloric Theory,” Dr. Michael Fowler (UVa), writes: In my experience, there […]

Feynman On Science

Posted by Michael Gold - January 13, 2021 - Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, College, Culture, Economics, Education, Geology, History, Logic, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Science, Statistics

“The job of a scientist is to listen carefully to nature, not to tell nature how to behave.” Dr. Richard Feynam, Nobel Prize winner in physics

Vitamin D and COVID

Posted by Michael Gold - January 8, 2021 - Biology, Chemistry, Culture, Exercise, Health & Nutrition

In an open letter, “Over 100 Scientists, Doctors, & Leading Authorities Call For Increased Vitamin D Use To Combat COVID-19.” To all governments, public health officials, doctors, and healthcare workers, Research shows low vitamin D levels almost certainly promote COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths. Given its safety, we call for immediate widespread increased vitamin D intakes. Vitamin D modulates […]

ReasonRX Podcast Episode 44 Engineer Hannes Hacker on Engineering and its Roots in Science

Posted by Michael Gold - December 19, 2020 - Biology, Chemistry, Education, Philosophy, Physics, Science, Technology

Experienced engineer Hannes Hacker joins us to discuss:-what engineering is-the scientific roots of engineering Also available on Podcast Addict, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Castbox, Deezer, iHeartRadio, iTunes. And more.

ReasonRx Podcast Episode 25 Award-winning Teacher Scott Harris: What’s Wrong With Science Education and How To Fix It

Posted by Michael Gold - February 4, 2020 - Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, College, Culture, Economics, Education, History, Homeschooling, Logic, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Science

In this episode, Scott, Melanie, and Michael provide and discuss evidence that science education is broken and in need of help, then discuss some ways to fix science education (and education in general). Also available on iTunes/Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Deezer, Spotify, and Castbox. And more. To support the show and […]

Resource For Old Textbooks

Posted by Michael Gold - January 5, 2020 - Biology, Chemistry, Culture, Education, History, Homeschooling, Language, Logic, Mathematics, Physics, Reading, Recommended Books, Science

In the document Early American Textbooks, the Office of Educational Research and Improvement, of the US Department of Education, says: Nothing gives us insight into the history of education more clearly than do school textbooks of the past They tell us what people thought was worth knowing the — content of education. They provide clues […]

ReasonRx Podcast Episode 40 Gundula Bosch, PhD Johns Hopkins, on the Importance of Philosophy to Science and Education

Posted by Michael Gold - December 23, 2019 - Biology, Chemistry, College, Culture, Education, Homeschooling, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Science

In this episode, Dr. Gundula Bosch joins us to discuss the R3ISE Graduate Science Program and the R3 Center for Innovation in Science Education. We discuss her background, the R3ISE program, how it came to be, what it does, why it is needed, the importance of philosophy and a philosophic perspective, and what you can […]

ReasonRx Podcast Episode 15 Teacher Scott Harris: What is Physical Science? The Intro

Posted by Michael Gold - July 1, 2019 - Chemistry, College, Education, Homeschooling, Physics, Science

In this episode, Scott, Melanie, and Michael — short because Michael did not have things set up properly to record (sorry!), so you missed some great discussion — have some initial discussion of what science is and how to teach it. Knowing what science is is important for teachers, but also for parents, students, scientists, […]

ReasonRx Podcast Episode 13 Teacher Scott Harris On Writing, Part 2

Posted by Michael Gold - June 22, 2019 - Biology, Chemistry, College, Culture, Education, History, Homeschooling, Language, Logic, Mathematics, Parenting, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Reading, Science

In this episode, Scott and Michael — after saying hi and catching up, talking about ending the school year, and Michael’s earning his MovNat Level 2 Fitness Instructor certification — discuss more about writing and how it can be done effectively in the sciences. For teachers, parents, and business professionals: everyone who writes, thinks, and […]

Getting Sick?

Posted by Michael Gold - February 20, 2019 - Biology, Chemistry, Exercise, Health & Nutrition, Science

You probably need to improve your glutathione status. In “10 Natural Ways to Increase Your Glutathione Levels” (HealthLine, 25 April, 2018), Kaitlyn Berkheiser writes Glutathione is one of the body’s most important and potent antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that reduce oxidative stress by combating free radicals in the body. While most antioxidants are found in […]

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I hope she finishes up the year strong."
Mr. M, high school teacher of Madison S; quote from emailed note from teacher to parent,

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Michael expounds all that is science in such an interesting and exciting way! He always keeps my kids engaged and thinking that science is fun!

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Melanie H (homeschool mom of 3),