Science is People
Here are some questions that middle school student NancyLeven asked Ursula Franklin.Ursula Franklinwas one of the first womento be appointed a professor in Engineering at a major university.She is wellknownthroughout the worldfor her work in science aswell as her efforts for peace.
Nancy: Why did you become a scientist?
Ursula:Because I enjoyedscience,bothin schooland out of it, andbecause I was reasonablygood at it. Although I was interested in andenjoyedmany things, there was nothing I was more interestedindoingfor the rest of my life than science.
Nancy: What do you do?
Ursula:Study the relationship between the structure and the properties of materials-both ancient and man mode-materials. By "materials"I mean simplystuff (of all kinds: metals, ceramics, textiles,wood, and other things.) I also teach, consult with students, convene scientific meetings, sit on committees, and when I get time, try towrite papers on my research.
Nancy: How does a person get a job as a scientist?
Ursula:Well, it is not necessarily easy to do. In addition to the long period of training involved (sometimes it takes 10 years of university education to reach the point where one is qualified to teach in a university), there are often few positions open. But really, you should go into science because you enjoy it and would rather do it than anything else" not because it is a way to get a good job”. There are easier ways of making money! With respect to what subjectsit is important to study, the answer is that everything is important. Anysubject that prepares an inquiring mind and teaches you how to learn is important. You can always look up extrafacts, but the discipline oflearning, and the ability to look at things critically are the skills youreallyhave to acquire to be a scientist,
Nancy: Are scientists different from other people?
Ursula: No! In no way are scientists different-nor are they more clever, just as a dancer or a musician requires some natural ability,encouragement, discipline, and good teachers to be successful, so toodoes a scientist. Scientists might benefitfrom having a certain naturalgift for one activity rather than another, but they are not moregifted. It is just that their gifts lie in a certain area.
Nancy: What other things are you interested in besides science?
Ursula:People and politics, art and music. I also like to knit andcook. I am, of course, interested in myfamily (l have a son who is aprofessional photographer and a daughter who works in a legal clinic).Beyond my personal family, I am interested in the human family.I don't really think that you can be a scientist and not be concernedwith peace and the continuation of human activity. One of thenice things about science is that whether you discover a little or a lotof new knowledge, it contributes to the sum total of knowledge. This knowledge must not only bepreserved and enlarged; it must be usedfor the betterment of the wholePlanet and all its creatures-not,just humans. This knowledge should not be used to destroy things. Anyone who is doing science as a vocation-because he or she loves it and feels that it needs to be done-cannot help but work for peace.