Q.: If question-asking is so fundamental to science, why has there been no research into how we might improve question-asking for learners in our places of education?
A.: I think, for example, quantum mechanics should be taught in schools for this reason. One of the reasons is that it’s a great way of seeing how the data from experiments can drive you to a rather counterintuitive picture of the world. For example, the rules of quantum physics are not by themselves complicated, but they are philosophically challenging. I think the scientific method is more important to teach than facts. I’m not that bothered if people know about the structure of the atom or whatever but I want people to understand how you get to these conclusions about the world.
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Question asked by Laurence Smith via email and answered by Brian Cox .
