Scientific Literacy Alignment

The National Research Council* describes a scientifically literate person as someone who:

. can ask, find, or determine answers to questions derived from curiosity about everyday experiences.  . has the ability to describe, explain, and predict natural phenomenon.  . is able to read with understanding articles about science in the popular press and to engage in social conversation about the validity of their conclusions.  . can identify scientific issues underlying national and local decisions and express positions that are scientifically and technologically informed.   . (is) able to evaluate the quality of scientific information on the basis of its source and the methods used to generate it.  . (has) the capacity to pose and evaluate arguments based on evidence and to apply conclusions from such arguments appropriately.

The matrix below shows how the lessons will develop many of the attributes of a scientifically literate person:

1.	Who uses drugs?  When do they use drugs?  Where do they use drugs?
2.	What could explain why some people use drugs and others do not?
3.	Is there an association between the hypothesized cause and drug use?
4.	Is the association between the hypothesized cause and drug use causal?
5.	What should be done when a preventable cause of drug use is identified?
6.	Did the drug use prevention strategy work?

Matrix of Six Essential Questions and Attributes of Scientific Literacy