The scientifically literate person understands the nature of science and scientific knowledge. Science is both public and private. Science experiences should introduce students to the private and intuitive aspects of scientific inquiry and discovery as well as to the more formal public aspects of science. Science is based on evidence, developed privately by individuals or groups, that is shared publicly with others. This provides other individuals with the opportunity to attempt to establish the validity and reliability of the evidence.
Students carry out their investigations and then report to the class the results of their studies.
Past scientific knowledge should be viewed in its historical context and not be degraded on the basis of present knowledge. Each refinement of the model of the atom by Thompson, Rutherford, Bohr, and the quantum theorists has relied on the previous work of others. Selective breeding of corn by the Indian people of North America produced a high quality food plant. All branches of science are interrelated. Any procedure which is repeated should give similar results.