Struggling to Maintain Confidence in Science among American Public. role of educational institutions in regaining trust.

In today's world, critical issues such as climate change, technology, and public health have become political battlegrounds rather than evidence-based debates. This troubling trend can be attributed to the distortion of scientific findings to support ideological agendas [1].

The epidemic of scientific distrust is a complex issue, shaped by a multitude of factors including information, disinformation, varying levels of understanding, and socio-cultural dynamics [2]. To address this problem, it is crucial to understand that conflict with existing and reinforced worldviews is a significant cause of scientific distrust, not a lack of evidence [3].

The field of K-12 science education has been facing its own challenges for several years. A lack of proper teacher training, deprofessionalization of educators, and insufficient support for implementation have taken a toll on the quality of science education [4]. The long-standing teacher shortage, especially in science and math, has further discouraged people from entering or staying in teaching, leading to the hiring of underqualified teachers [5][6].

To revitalize science education and rebuild public trust in science, teachers must be recognized as professionals, supported through strong preparation and ongoing standards-aligned training, and empowered to bring scientific inquiry into their classrooms [7]. Students, too, must learn to think critically, evaluate data, and understand science as a tool with its own rules of engagement [8].

K-12 schools play a vital role in shaping how people engage with science. However, the image of the ivory tower in science, where experts are seen as authorities solely based on their credentials or institutions, can contribute to public suspicion and mistrust [9]. To bridge this gap, scientists must be trained and supported in communicating with non-scientists to strengthen the connection between the scientific community and the public [10].

To ensure that every young person, regardless of postsecondary plans, develops a scientific worldview, students need consistent, hands-on science experiences starting in early childhood [11]. This requires a shift in focus from standardized testing in reading and mathematics, which has led to a significant reduction in elementary science instruction [12].

The organization working to improve K-12 science education in this project is the Lehr-Lern-Labor Informatik at the Pädagogische Hochschule Karlsruhe, in cooperation with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), supported by the Vector Foundation until 2023 [13].

Rebuilding trust in science requires more than just improving K-12 science education. It requires enriching people's perspectives with scientific literacy, understanding, empathy, and dialogue [14]. Radical empathy, a form of engagement that involves understanding the worldviews of others, is key to overcoming conflict in worldviews and fostering dialogue [15].

As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, it is clear that failure to rebuild our nation's scientific foundations, feed the future through accurate and robust science education, and foster critical thinking is a threat to our society and our species [16]. Let us strive to equip our teachers, our students, and ourselves with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the scientific landscape with confidence and understanding.