FAQ
What is the purpose of AITSE? American Institute for Technology and Science Education is a consortium of scientists, engineers, physicians and other professionals who are working together to improve science education and increase scientific integrity. Our goal is to offer clear, reliable, and balanced science education in order to free science and technology from ideology, politics, and the heavy emphasis on consensus. To facilitate honest, ethical and beneficial scientific progress, we are working to increase scientific integrity through education at every age and in every stage of the scientific process. (links to “about section)
What is the mission of AITSE? We are a consortium of scientists, engineers, physicians and professionals from other disciplines working together to improve science education and increase scientific integrity, thereby instigating a new era of scientific discovery. We offer clear, reliable, and balanced education with the goal of liberating science and technology from ideology, politics and the restrictions of consensus. Our programs advance honest, ethical, and beneficial scientific progress that is responsive to the real needs of present and future generations.
Why does AITSE believe it is so important to support non-consensus views in science? The uncomfortable fact is that the refusal to give voice to valid but unpopular scientific viewpoints, which amounts to a lack of scientific integrity, is a root cause of our declining health, wealth and religious freedom as a nation. Research is detrimentally affected by the faulty knowledge that results from blind spots, bias and inaccuracy in evaluation of data. This can then lead to dead-end work, lost revenue, and endangerment of public health and well-being. The current practice of hijacking of science in support of political, financial and ideological initiatives is also a contributing factor in our sliding competitiveness in the global marketplace; after all, people who are restricted in their thinking and questioning or misled by biased interpretation of data inevitably lose some of their innovative edge; the scientific and technological originality for which the USA is famous is being stifled by the unwillingness of many science practitioners to allow fair presentation of competing views and research. This practice of using the trusted brand of “science” in support of questionable business practices, particular ideological views and political agendas needs to stop.
What areas of science and technology do AITSE’s fellows cover? As of 2010, AITSE members include both theoretical and applied scientists from many disciplines: ecology, mathematics, biochemistry, medicine, psychiatry, psychology, paleontology, electrical engineering, quantum physics, astrophysics, immunology, cell biology, chemistry, computer software design, and more. Interviews of all these PhD and MD scientists are in progress. In addition, we are continuously recruiting highly qualified people to help us reach our goal of supporting good science, based on rational and data-supported explanations and not just consensus interpretations.
Does AITSE subscribe to a particular religion? No, American Institute for Technology and Science Education is not a religious organization, nor do we promote a particular religion. However, we openly admit that many of our members belong to two of the monotheistic religions: Christianity and Judaism. Our experience, and that of others, is that science and religion both involve the search for truth and are not at all incompatible, provided of course that the science is based on rational and evidence-supported explanations and not just consensus interpretations.
What is AITSE’s view on evolution/intelligent design/creation/theistic evolution? AITSE believes that good science allows non-consensus, science-based, views to be considered. Therefore, in our monthly newsletters we provide input from highly qualified scientists and AITSE members who hold a variety of opinions on this subject and support them with science, not the demands of consensus. That way, the reader can make up their own mind. AITSE also openly acknowledges that this question has religious implications and that many people base their opinions on faith as well as science. Since religion and science are both searches for truth, one would expect that ultimately, the same conclusion would be reached. However, since both science and philosophy are works in progress, it may be that such certainty is not possible at the moment—and we can live with that.
What is AITSE’s view on global warming? AITSE believes that good science allows non-consensus, science-based, views to be considered. Therefore, in our monthly newsletters we provide input from highly qualified scientists and AITSE members who hold different opinions on this subject and support them with science, not demands of consensus. That way, the reader can make up their own mind. AITSE also openly acknowledges that this question has political and financial implications, but feels it vital that ALL rational and data supported explanations should be considered.
What are the primary goals of AITSE?
-Be a nationally recognized organization that functions as a consortium of scientists, engineers, scholars, technology experts, students and interested laypeople, a hub of interrelated activity, a professional marketplace for ideas and cooperation.
-Serve as a forum for advancing sound technological and scientific discovery with an eye on responsible and useful implementation, designed to bring positive social and cultural impact, improved health and increased environmental wellbeing.
-Translate and summarize relevant scholarly work into the language of the people, developing interest and encouraging the expansion of scientific knowledge and understanding among students of all ages and the general public.
-Encourage scientific integrity, sound technology and balanced science education in schools, universities, and industry.
-Encourage and equip young people to pursue careers in technology and science.
-Work to remove the obstacles that limit the inclusion and advancement of women, minorities, and people of faith from pursuing advanced education and degrees in technology, science and medicine; and careers in related fields