Wisconsin Initiative for Science Literacy

The Wisconsin Initiative for Science Literacy at UW-Madison was founded in 2002 by Prof. Bassam Z. Shakhashiri. Citizens must gain "science literacy."

Society is increasingly dependent on science and technology. It is essential for the well-being of our society that all citizens develop an appreciation of science, the benefits of technology, and the potential risks associated with advances in both. Science literacy does not require detailed knowledge of any particular field, but rather a broad appreciation and understanding of what science is ca

pable of achieving and, equally important, what science cannot accomplish. Science literacy is necessary for the democratic process to work. We make a distinction between scientific literacy, expertise in a particular field, and science literacy, a broad appreciation and understanding of science and its practitioners, and of what science is capable of achieving and what it cannot accomplish. Science literacy enlightens and enables people to make informed choices, to be skeptical, and to reject shams, quackery, unproven conjecture, and to avoid being bamboozled into making foolish decisions where matters of science and technology are concerned. Science literacy is for everyone -- chemists, artists, humanists, all professionals, the general public, youth and adults alike. Society makes progress in addressing critical issues by having both a skilled, creative, and productive work force and a citizenry able to judge the risks and enjoy the benefits of advances in science and technology. WISL seeks to boost opportunities for educational success for all students, especially those from under-represented groups, and to empower adults to participate responsibly in our cherished democratic institutions. WISL aims to enhance the development of talent for careers in science and for careers in science teaching and to advance the level of appreciation of science among the non-practitioners who are its beneficiaries. WISL advocates the exploration and establishment of links between science, the arts, and the humanities. WISL promotes the elevation of discourse on significant societal issues related to science, religion, politics, the economy, and ethics. WISL is directed by Professor Bassam Z. Shakhashiri of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Chemistry Department. Programs draw on the concepts developed by Dr. Shakhashiri during many years of innovative work in science education. He draws upon his extensive experience as a faculty member at the University for over 40 years, his work with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Institute for Chemical Education, and his six years as the chief education officer of the National Science Foundation. WISL program offerings benefit greatly from the intellectual contributions and commitment of its staff, Fellows, Affiliates, and audiences. WISL has its headquarters at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Support is sought from individuals, business and civic groups, and private and governmental sources. Support for this program will have a direct and continuing impact on our nation's ability to maintain its leadership in the sciences and in technology and on advancement of science and science education around the world.

01/29/2026

Wisconsin Institute for Discovery congratulates Dr. Cassandra Leech from the Denu Lab, who was recently honored with the Wisconsin initiative for science literacy award for communicating PhD research to the public.

Blue Sky Science: What's the science behind leap year?

02/29/2024

Why do we have a leap year, anyway??

Blue Sky Science: What's the science behind leap year? Blue Sky Science is a weekly Q&A series that gives children and adults a forum to pose curiosity-driven, blue-sky questions about science. The public poses the…

Mural combining art, science unveiled at Wisconsin Institute for Discovery

10/14/2022

I spy with my little eye... Science is Fun!

Mural combining art, science unveiled at Wisconsin Institute for Discovery A new mural combining science and art was unveiled Wednesday at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery at UW-Madison.

10/13/2022

The fall colors are at their peak here in Madison! 🍃🍂🍁
Learn more about the changes taking place:

scifun.org

06/27/2022

Tune into Wisconsin Public Radio's Larry Meiller show today at 11am for another appearance by Prof. Shakhashiri.
https://www.wpr.org/shows/science-update-importance-learning-about-science

2021 UW Science Expeditions – Campus Open House

04/09/2021

Science Expeditions is here!

Tonight Prof. Shakhashiri will talk about climate change at a special Friday edition of Wednesday Nite @ the Lab.

Saturday he will discuss the Joy of Science.

Details and more science fun here: science.wisc.edu/science-expeditions

2021 UW Science Expeditions – Campus Open House Join us for Science Expeditions - Campus Open House. Come explore UW-Madison - your public land-grant research university - and experience science as exploring the unknown. Talk with researchers, visit science venues across campus, enjoy our Science Spectacular Shows, and try your hand at our intera...

04/02/2021

The 2021 Science Expeditions is a week away! Check out all the great events, including two featuring Prof. Shakhashiri.
science.wisc.edu/science-expeditions

03/31/2021

In this week's featured home video experiment, learn how to make your own lava lamp!

Homemade Lava Lamp SCIENCE IS FUN's Amanda Spiewak demonstrates how to make a homemade lava lamp. Find more SCIENCE IS FUN at scifun.org

03/30/2021

SHARE this post with anyone who wants to do science at home! Celebrate the joy of science with Professor Bassam Shakhashiri of Initiative for Science Literacy and learn how to do home experiments safely. Kids of all ages are welcomed.

For even more events during Science Expeditions on April 9-11, visit http://science.wisc.edu/science-expeditions.

Experimenting with Bernoulli's Principle

03/29/2021

It's been windy here in Madison the last few days!

Today's featured Home Experiment deals with the properties of moving air:

Experimenting with Bernoulli's Principle Have you ever said of someone who was talking too much, “He’s just an old windbag”? Actually, windbags can be fun (think balloons), and they allow us to learn about an important property of moving air called Bernoulli's Principle.

03/26/2021

For this week's chemical, let's learn about carbon dioxide: one of the gases in our atmosphere.

scifun.org

03/25/2021

Spring means a lot of colorful candies are hitting the grocery store shelves.

This week's home video experiment uses candy!

Colorful Candy Designs SCIENCE IS FUN's Tom Kuntzleman uses colorful candies to make interesting designs.Find more SCIENCE IS FUN at scifun.org

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Wisconsin Initiative for Science Literacy

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