Topic: Science Standards

The Idaho House Education Committee voted to delete certain science standards that linked air pollution directly to fossil fuels, favoring a curriculum that encourages student inquiry. Representative Scott Sime argued that standards should not stifle scientific discovery, even if students reach unconventional conclusions. Critics in the media portrayed this move as an attempt to "water down" science education and humiliate the legislators involved.

The "Next Generation Science Standards" (NGSS) are being implemented to align science education with Common Core. The hosts criticize the standards for being "internationally benchmarked" by industry stakeholders. They lament the loss of traditional, "dangerous" chemistry sets that allowed children to experiment freely, replaced now by a more controlled, "religious" approach to science.