Science Literacy Program Information

Our mission is to promote student success through evidence-based science education. The University of Oregon Science Literacy Program (SLP) makes a real-world difference in the lives of UO students by building science literacy among undergraduate non-science majors, giving science students mentored teaching opportunities to implement active learning, and providing faculty with teaching professional development. SLP offers General Education courses for non-science majors designed to improve scientific awareness and general science literacy of the educated public by enhancing competence in and appreciation of science. The SLP will empower undergraduates to consider scientific approaches to societal issues, enable graduate students in the sciences to effectively communicate ideas to audiences of non-scientists, and assist faculty in improving teaching techniques using evidence-based pedagogy. SLP offers courses that employ active, inquiry-based teaching methods to improve creative and critical reasoning. These approaches will equip students with the necessary tools to face the complex issues facing our society by providing them with the analytical skills required to assess information about science, health and technology. In addition, the program hopes to foster a greater appreciation for the role science plays in our society. Finally, the SLP will help students experience the personal appeal of science.