What is science? According to the dictionary, science is “a systematically organized body of knowledge on a particular subject.” Given that meaning, one can assume that science is simply a way to understand things. What causes the rain? Where do rocks come from? What makes the earth revolve around the sun? Science answers all these questions and goes further by explaining why.

          Science is everywhere. It is in everything we see, think, and experience. It helps us get a better understanding of the things around us and even affects everything that we do. For example, in cooking, we know that food becomes cooked when heat is applied. We also know that the mixture of different ingredients result to different tastes. We know that sugar ads sweetness and salt ads saltiness. Moreover, science is also present when we choose our clothes. We know certain clothes suit certain weather. If it is raining, we wear rubber boots because we know that the rainwater cannot penetrate rubber. Although science is responsible for building spaceships, travelling to outerspace, and walking on the moon—the way it affects us can also be manifested in small little mundane things.

          Carl Edward Sagan, an American astrophysicist, astrobiologist, and author amongst other things, defined science as “a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.” In present times, we have so much knowledge and information in the palm of our hands thanks to all the scientist who didn’t merely accept things as they are, but also questioned why. However, if we do not apply all these learnings to our every day life, then we do not fully utilize their efforts. Science is more than just understanding the technicality of things but also knowing the practical implications and different applications we can draw from these things.

By: Maria Leonida L. Gomez | Teacher I | Bataan National High School | Balanga, Bataan