Among the testimony to the House Education Committee this morning on proposed new science standards:

Lisa Hecht, who worked for Hewlett Packard for 30 years as an electrical engineer and program manager, told the committee, “One thing I learned is that you can’t BS an electrical circuit to work if you can’t correctly understand and apply scientific principles.” She said she supports the proposed new standards and the way they encourage students to use the scientific method. “It is a humble way of asking nature a question so our biases don’t get in the way of the truth,” she said. “The scientific method is a lot of work, but it’s the best way to get at the truth.”

Matthew Kohn, a geologist, said, “We see record warmth and record drought that threaten Idaho’s agriculture and water resources, and we see CO2 levels that have not been seen on earth for 15 million years. … Humans are the primary cause of high CO2 and record warming.” Committee Chair Julie VanOrden, R-Pingree, interrupted Kohn, telling him it’s not a hearing on climate change and he should stick to the proposed science standards. Kohn cited a specific clause in the standards, and noted “the implication or the evidence that these are the causes of climate change. I want to emphasize this isn’t a blame game. It’s an interpretation built on overwhelming evidence. … What I want to emphasize is what do we teach our students about what they could do about anything related to climate change. And the answer is I don’t know. … My education came too late for me to do anything related to climate change.” VanOrden gaveled him, cutting him off. “You’re out of line – thank you,” she said.

Sharon Bosley of Coeur d’Alene told the committee, “Science is not about what we wish the world would be. It describes how the world actually is.” She urged the committee to adopt the proposed science standards. “Robust science standards will help Idaho’s economy by preparing students for professional careers. These students who are proficient in science will then become leaders and employees who can understand and use science in their careers.”

Veronica Richmond, age 12, told the lawmakers, “My generation, we are the leaders, the innovators the inventors and problem solvers of Idaho tomorrow. … We need these standards … so that we will be prepared and equipped.” She said she attends the Treasure Valley Mathematics and Science Center “and I love my education. Pulling out these science standards is pulling out valuable chunks of my precious education.”

Trent Clark said, “I represent Monsanto, an employer of roughly 1,000 Idahoans, most of whom are in the field of science. I’m here to support these revised science standards as presented by the Department of Education. … They describe the very kind of knowledge that we will interview for when we interview an Idahoan ... to get a job. And if in fact they do not possess that kind of knowledge, they would be ill fitted for a job at Monsanto.”

Roberta D’Amico said, “I support the revised standards as proposed. … Idaho needs to equip students with the knowledge … regarding the impacts of climate change.” VanOrden stopped her, saying, “I would remind you , this is not a hearing on climate change, this is on the standards.” D’Amico continued, “By modernizing the school science standards, our professional teachers will be able to provide students with the facts, to enable critical thinking based on facts. … Let educators educate. Let students learn the facts. Let’s empower students to be critical thinkers. Let’s move the science curriculum standards forward, let’s do it now.”

Leslie Elliott, a Boise State University professor with a PhD in physics and the author of two science textbooks, challenged the lawmakers with a scientific question she asks her students: When you lose weight, where does it go? “The answer is we breathe it out,” she said, “and this is crazy and this is amazing … but it’s true that every exhalation is heavier than every inhalation.… The fat I burn when I’m out on a run in the foothills actually becomes sagebrush – it’s part of the carbon cycle. It’s amazing.” She said lawmakers wouldn’t be expected to know that. “You’re legislators, not scientists,” she said. “You can’t reasonably stay current on the speciation events. ... What I’m asking as a committee is that you trust decisions about science standards to people who do … who have developed this set of standards in the best interest of our students and this state.”