Initiative for Science Literacy

The Wisconsin Initiative for Science Literacy promotes literacy in science, mathematics and technology among the general public and seeks to attract young people to careers as researchers, entrepreneurs and teachers. The Initiative 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. Our society is becoming increasingly dependant on science and technology, and it is essential 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 understanding of what science is capable of achieving and, equally important, what it cannot accomplish. The Initiative also explores and helps to establish links between science, the arts and the humanities.