Project: Dabble

You don’t need to be a scientist to think more scientifically. Here are practical tips and ideas to strengthen your science literacy.

Why does the moon change shape? How do planes fly? Why does the sky get lighter as you get closer to the horizon?

Every day, my kids make fascinating observations about the world around them. Their questions spark curiosity in all of us. As we look up answers together, I am often struck by how much basic science I have forgotten since my school days.

That’s why I made it a goal this year to strengthen my science literacy.

Scientific literacy is the ability to understand scientific concepts and processes and apply that knowledge to make informed decisions about our health, communities and daily lives. It is not something we finish developing when school ends. Science is always changing, and so is our understanding of it.

For most of us, much of the science learning we do happens in adulthood as we try to make sense of health advice, product safety, environmental concerns and public policy debates in the news. If you are looking for practical ways to refresh your understanding of science, here are seven ways to build your science literacy.

1. Focus on the “big ideas” in science

Scientific literacy does not require the knowledge of a working scientist. You don’t need to memorize formulas or master technical vocabulary. What matters more is understanding the big ideas that explain how the natural world works. It is more useful, for example, to understand that energy cannot be created or destroyed in an isolated system than to calculate thermodynamic potentials using multivariable calculus. Scientific literacy is less about doing science and more about using scientific understanding to make sense of everyday life.

A good place to start is with resources that emphasize those fundamentals. In Science Matters: Achieving Scientific Literacy, authors Robert M. Hazen and James Trefil offer an accessible overview of core ideas in physics, biology, chemistry, astronomy and earth science. Though the latest edition was published in 2009, it still provides a strong grounding in the essentials. 

Introductory textbooks written for high school students or college freshmen can also be a helpful way to revisit the overarching principles of science. And for an even more approachable entry point, do not overlook children’s nonfiction science books. The best ones are clear, well researched and visually engaging, making big concepts easier to understand and remember.

2. Take an online course

Online courses can be a flexible way to refresh your science knowledge from home and on your own schedule. Platforms such as Coursera and edX offer MOOCs, or massive open online courses, from universities and other institutions. Many include lectures, readings, quizzes and other assignments that help you stay engaged and monitor your progress. Many can be audited for free, while earning certificates usually require a paid subscription.

Look for courses that relate to your interests. If you are curious about crime scene investigation, Coursera’s Introduction to Forensic Science explores the science behind evidence analysis and criminal investigations. If you want to better understand pollution, biodiversity and global change, Environmental Science offers a useful introduction. Harvard’s Science & Cooking on edX allows students to explore the science and apply principles of physics, engineering, and chemistry to cooking.

Khan Academy is another option for brushing up on general science. The platform offers free courses in subjects such as chemistry, biology and astronomy. Although it is geared toward students, it can also help adults strengthen their understanding of the big ideas in science. Courses range from middle school through Advanced Placement, so you can choose the level and depth that fits your needs.

3. Make science part of your regular media diet

Reading strong science journalism on a regular basis can sharpen your ability to follow scientific debates, understand new findings and distinguish credible reporting from hype. Publications such as Scientific American, National Geographic, Discover and Smithsonian translate rigorous, evidence-based science into accessible stories for general readers. Drawing on trusted sources, these publications explore the “how” and “why” behind new discoveries and their impact on our lives.

YouTube can also be a valuable tool if you choose creators and outlets that take accuracy seriously while still making science engaging. Mark Rober uses engineering experiments, creative builds and large-scale demonstrations to make science entertaining and accessible. Veritasium, created by Derek Muller, is known for tackling misconceptions and counterintuitive scientific ideas. SmarterEveryDay, hosted by aerospace engineer Destin Sandlin, explores the science behind how the world works, from fluid dynamics to flight.

4. Learn how science works

Scientific literacy is about more than knowing facts. It also means understanding how scientific knowledge is tested, challenged and strengthened over time. A single study is rarely the final word. Individual papers can contain errors, reflect bias or reach conclusions that later research revises or overturns. That is why scientific claims gain authority through peer review, repeated testing, expert scrutiny and replication. Over time, that process can lead to scientific consensus, when experts broadly agree that the evidence supports a claim. 

One of the best ways to understand this process is to pay attention to how discoveries are reported. Look for stories that explain whether findings come from one study or many, how large the study was, whether the results have been replicated and how other experts have responded. You can also read explainers from science museums, universities and reputable health or research organizations that break down concepts such as peer review, consensus and scientific uncertainty. Over time, this habit can help you become a more careful reader of scientific claims and a savvy consumer of science news.

5. Think critically about scientific claims

Scientific literacy also means resisting the urge to accept every science-related claim at face value. Science education scholars Jonathan Osborne and Douglas Allchin argue that when you encounter a scientific claim, your first question should not be, “What is the evidence?” but “Who is making this claim, and for what purpose?” Before weighing the argument itself, ask whether the source has a conflict of interest and whether the person or organization has the expertise or authority to speak for the broader scientific consensus.

Osborne and Allchin also warn that misleading claims often gain traction through persuasive tactics rather than strong evidence. Some efforts are designed to manufacture doubt, exaggerate uncertainty or present one dissenting voice as proof that the science is unsettled. Others urge you to “do your own research” while steering you toward biased information. Become a more careful judge of scientific claims by slowing down to ask whether they come from a credible source, reflect scientific consensus or show signs of distortion.

6. Learn directly from scientists

Science is a human endeavor, and one of the best ways to deepen your science literacy is to hear directly from the people doing the work. Many universities, museums and research institutions host public lectures, online talks and informal community events that make current science more accessible to general audiences. Carnegie Science, for example, offers free Neighborhood Lecture Series events for the public, both in person and online, with topics spanning astronomy, earth science and planetary science.

You can also look for science cafés, museum talks and similar events in your area. Science cafés are designed to be more conversational than formal lectures, giving you the chance to engage in two-way conversations with scientists in a relaxed setting, such as a coffeehouse or restaurant.

7. Participate in citizen science

Citizen science, sometimes called community science or participatory science, invites the public to work alongside researchers on real scientific projects. It is a hands-on way to build your science literacy while contributing to actual research. Depending on the project, you might photograph clouds or streams, document seasonal changes in nature, use your smartphone to help monitor air or water quality or classify images for astronomy or medical research. These projects span a wide range of fields, including ecology, astronomy, medicine, psychology and computer science.

One reason citizen science is so powerful is that it gives you a direct window into how science is done. Volunteers follow shared protocols so their data can be combined and used by researchers. Platforms such as SciStarter, Zooniverse and iNaturalist make it easy to get involved. NASA also offers projects that let volunteers help search for exoplanets, study solar storms and map features on the moon.

If you are looking for a fun place to start, try a project that matches your interests. I recently participated in a Zooniverse project called Cloudspotting on Mars, which asked volunteers to help NASA identify cloud formations in the Martian atmosphere. The platform provided brief training, was easy to use and even tracked my volunteer hours. Citizen science offers the satisfaction of helping advance knowledge while learning by doing.

Are you participating in a citizen science project or taking an interesting course? I’d love to hear how you are building your science literacy in the comments.