SFAA cited “integrity, diligence, fairness, curiosity, openness to new ideas, skepticism, and imagination”(p. 185) as habits of mind that exemplify everyday human values. While not unique to science or scientists, these habits should be considered as important elements of the scientific enterprise. And as the authors of SFAA stated “Science education is in a particularly strong position to foster three of these attitudes and values–curiosity, openness to new ideas, and informed skepticism”(p. 185).
SFAA also stressed thinking skills such as computation, estimation, manipulation, observation, and communication in terms of the cognitive and procedural habits of mind that individual students should develop. All these are important aspects of scientific literacy, but only the skill of communication contributes to the personal and social habits of mind considered here.
These four habits of mind (curiosity, openness, skepticism, and communication) are essential to virtually all scientific research efforts. The remainder of this article illustrates the essential nature of these habits, first through the story of a modern scientific investigation, then through a description of a school science laboratory activity. Finally, the implications of these habits are discussed in terms of science education reform.