Building Future Scientists: How 'Humanity Works' Can Shape Science Education

In her 2018 book "Humanity Works: Merging Technologies and People for the Workforce of the Future", Alexandra Levit explores the ways in which technology is changing the nature of work and how organizations can adapt to these changes in order to remain competitive. Levit argues that while technology has the potential to automate many tasks and make certain jobs obsolete, there are still many skills and abilities that only humans can provide. She advocates for a "human skills" movement that focuses on developing and cultivating the uniquely human skills that will be in demand in the future, such as creativity, empathy, and critical thinking.

As science teachers and education professionals, it's important for us to consider how the ideas from "Humanity Works" can be applied in the classroom. Here are 10 actionable ideas that you can implement in your teaching practice to help your students develop the human skills they'll need for success in the workforce of the future:

1. Teach human skills: In addition to technical skills, it's important to help students develop human skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. These skills are valuable in any profession and can help students stand out in a competitive job market. As science teachers, you can incorporate activities that help students develop these skills into your lessons.
   
   For example, you could incorporate activities that develop critical thinking skills, such as having students analyze and critique scientific studies. You could also provide opportunities for creativity, such as having students design and build their own scientific instruments.

2. Encourage collaboration: Collaboration is an important skill for the workforce of the future. As science teachers, you can encourage collaboration by incorporating group projects and activities into your lessons. This can help students learn to work effectively with others and develop teamwork skills.
   
   For example, you could assign group projects that require students to work together to solve a scientific problem or create a science-based product. You could also create class-wide science competitions that require teams of students to collaborate on a complex project.

3. Emphasize communication skills: Good communication skills are essential in the workplace. As science teachers, you can help your students develop these skills by providing opportunities for presentations and public speaking. This can help students learn to communicate their ideas effectively and confidently.
   
   For example: you could require students to present their scientific findings in front of the class or even at a school-wide science fair. You could also have students write scientific papers or essays, which would develop their writing and research skills.

4. Foster creativity: Creativity is an important human skill that is in high demand in the workforce of the future. As science teachers, you can encourage creativity by providing opportunities for students to design their own experiments or projects, or by incorporating art and design into your lessons.
   
   For example: you could encourage students to develop their own science experiments or science-based art projects. You could also incorporate design thinking activities into your lessons, where students use scientific principles to design innovative solutions to real-world problems.

5. Teach digital literacy: Digital literacy is becoming increasingly important in the modern workforce. As science teachers, you can help your students develop these skills by incorporating technology into your lessons and teaching basic coding skills.
   
   For example: you could incorporate digital tools such as simulations, animations, or virtual labs into your science lessons. You could also teach basic coding skills to help students develop computational thinking and problem-solving abilities.

6. Promote self-directed learning: Self-directed learning is becoming more important as the pace of technological change continues to accelerate. As science teachers, you can encourage self-directed learning by providing opportunities for independent research and exploration.
   
   For example: you could assign independent research projects that allow students to explore their own interests and passions in science. You could also provide resources such as online databases or science magazines to help students explore scientific topics outside of class.

7. Incorporate real-world problems: As science teachers, you can make your lessons more relevant by incorporating real-world problems that students can solve using scientific methods and critical thinking. This can help students develop problem-solving skills that will be valuable in the workforce of the future.
   
   For example: you could create science projects that require students to solve real-world problems, such as designing a more sustainable energy source or developing a new medical treatment. You could also have students analyze and critique current scientific issues in the news.

8. Develop a growth mindset: A growth mindset, which emphasizes the belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed through effort and persistence, is important for success in any field. As science teachers, you can help your students develop a growth mindset by providing feedback that emphasizes effort and progress rather than innate ability.
   
   For example: you could provide feedback that emphasizes the effort and progress that students make, rather than innate ability. You could also praise students for taking on challenging scientific problems and celebrate their successes.

9. Provide career guidance: As science teachers, you can help your students explore different career options in science and technology and provide guidance on how to prepare for these careers. This can help students make informed choices about their future and develop the skills they'll need to succeed in the workforce.
   
   For example: you could invite scientists and engineers to speak to your class or school about their careers in science and technology. You could also provide resources such as career fairs or online job boards to help students explore different career options in science.

10. Promote lifelong learning: As science teachers, you can help your students develop a love of learning and a curiosity about the world by encouraging them to pursue their own interests and passions, both inside and outside the classroom. This can help students develop a mindset of lifelong learning that will be valuable throughout their careers.
    
    For example: you could encourage students to pursue their own scientific interests and passions, both inside and outside of class. You could provide resources such as science clubs or online science communities to help students continue learning about science even after they leave your class.

By incorporating these actionable ideas into your teaching practice, you can help your students develop the human skills they'll need.

Ready to prepare your students for success in the 21st century job market? Check out 'Humanity Works' by Alexandra Levit for actionable ideas and strategies that can help you develop the human skills and abilities your students need to thrive.