In The Children of Frankenstein, H.J. Muller writes that although most students have some technical knowledge, they know little about the history, philosophy and sociology of science. In Scholars Who Teach Arnold Arons, a professor of physics at the University of Washington, criticizes instructors who fail to do this. An understanding of Newton's first law resides not in the ability to repeat the words of the statement but in the ability to recognize its relevance or applicability in simple, everyday phenomena. Since experimentation distinguishes science from most other disciplines, the laboratory is a good place to start revitalizing science. It must be one that allows the student to carry over his activities from day to day and does not compel him to 'finish something within the confines of a straight jacket.
Lectures Improving labs is one thing, but lectures have a vital role to play too.
According to John Southin a sure way to enliven lectures is through anecdotes about the lives and discoveries of actual investigators. Introductory courses must be particularly engrossing and well taught, Southin says, since they are the gateway to the entire discipline. Sometimes professors' efforts are hampered by a lack of decent teaching materials. Textbooks are part of the problem. Arons suggests the best materials currently available are meant for elementary school children.