Science is an integral part of modern everyday life. There is no question that our lives have been enriched by its achievements, yet at the same time it has exposed us to some serious challenges. This raises some serious questions for modern democracies: What should be the proper role of science in society? What implications does this have for citizens’ responsibilities to understand science and participate in science policy debates? By focusing on some of the critical issues we face today-global warming, stem cell research, and the teaching of intelligent design-and dominate both our cultural and political arenas, this presentation will examine the question of what it means to be a scientifically literate citizen in the twenty-first century. Prakash Chenjeri, PhD Associate Professor (Philosophy) Charles Welden, PhD Professor (Biology)