Not everyone needs to have a graduate level understanding of science. However, gaining scientific literacy is a process of equipping oneself with tools that augment decision-making in every aspect of life -- from making health-care decisions, to evaluating government policies.

When it comes to scientific topics, both scientists and laypeople hide behind the excuse that the general public in this country simply doesn't have the education to process such complex information. This is leading to real problems.

Our story of the cozy partnership between political leaders and the fossil fuel industry now moves to Wyoming, where the state has moved to block the efforts by 26 states to modernize the science curriculum taught in our nation's schools.

Children grow up healthier and happier when they experience a direct connection to nature. Just as importantly, those young people are also far more likely to value the natural world when they've developed a connection to it. The need for this has never been greater than it is today.