Public misconceptions of chemistry

Chemistry is BAD & DANGEROUS

• regularly linked to drugs and explosives

• natural = good chemical = bad

synthetic = bad

• advertising– “chemical free” products– “acid” and “alkaline” foods– positive/negative ion therapy– botox treatments

http://www.zdravosloven.com/portal/statii/acid-alkaline-diet-456.html

Public misconceptions of chemistry

Chemistry is HARD

• only smart people understand chemistry

• disconnect between educational practices and everyday world

Public misconceptions of chemistry

PERPETUATING the misconceptions

• advertising targets public fears & misconceptions

• improper & confusing use of terminology

• strong public and legal response when natural therapies and natural/herbal products are questioned

Public misconceptions of chemistry

PERPETUATING the misconceptions• public figures have bad memories of

chemistry (politicians, business leaders)

• ignorance is bliss– what we don’t know can’t hurt us– everything is a chemical– labeling, transport, and storage regulations are

minimal for public

Public misconceptions of chemistry

PERPETUATING the misconceptions

• banning of most chemicals in K-12

• chemistry teachers afraid of chemistry & chemicals

• no chemistry focused science fair projects!

• *chemists* – we perpetuate misconceptions!

Public misconceptions of chemistry

STRATEGIES to change misconceptions

• must get the audience to listen

• take back the terminology

• expose misconceptions

• education– incorporate misconceptions into curriculum– adapt HS & PS curriculum to emphasize

everyday applications of chemistry– teach safety, awareness, & respect for chemicals

• run for public office

Public misconceptions of chemistry

Is chemistry perceived to be worse than other sciences?

*yes!*• math: hard

• physics: hard– nuclear science is worse, but controllable– astronomy has positive image

• chemistry: hard & dangerous

• biology: environmental indicator of problems– some ethics issues (cloning, placental stem cells)