Science Literacy Sketchnotes: A Difference of Opinion

I’m taking a course on Science Literacy, in pursuit of my science + illustration life goals.

This course is free on Coursera and was created by the Dr. Claire Scavuzzo at the University of Alberta. Please sign up if this interests you :)

These sketchnotes were designed with Instagram in mind as the sharing platform. Here’s the overview of what I learned in Week One. It has turned into a wake-up call that I had been avoiding science, math, and related learning ever since my first year of college and my science literacy needs tuning up.

A Mooc by the University of Alberta, Sketchnotes by Me (not in a professional context)

Here’s where I really started leaning in and recognizing my own decision-making patterns. I’m heavy on the instinctual sometimes because of time pressure but now I’m going to work on taking some time to be more deliberate (hence, me as the driver of this trolley).

A intro into Heuristics (stereotypes). We all have some bias. Sometimes its helpful, sometimes not. Science is to help counter bias.

Science isn't just a theory. Overview of the differences between scientific theory, metaphysics, and pseudoscience.

Back when I was a student in university, I recall feeling mystified about metaphysical arguments. Now I know why (har har!).

There is no one way to gain knowledge. There is oral tradition, reading, listening, writing, reading, and knowledge passed on by elders. Each way can be valid but we must critically evaluate and keep an open mind.

Traditional Knowledge. Quotes from interviews with Elder Rose Wabasca and Elmer Ghostkeeper. Indigenous Science is based on the relationship and why. We are all related. Everything is a living being, start a friendship, and listen to their teachings.

One of the most electrifying parts of the first week was the discussion of the role of Indigenous Science and Traditional Knowledge in the pursuit of science. This really gets me excited as I am very relationship motivated and that’s my super power of understanding. When I hear “Everything is a living being”, “experiential learning”, “start a friendship”, and “knowledge belonging to the collective”… I’m like “YAAAASSSS!”