Maya: Mr. Elliott, how do we know that what you're teaching us is true, if people keep finding out that science was wrong before?
Simon: That's a good question, Maya. This class is about our current understanding of chemistry, and the fundamentals have been pretty well-established for the past century. But why should you believe ME? Teachers aren't always right. You don't have to blindly agree with us. If you're skeptical, you're thinking like a scientist. Some the greatest science was done by people who questioned what they were told to believe. If you're curious, you can read books, read scientific journals, and do your own experiments safely, with adequate supervision. And come to your own conclusions about whether it all holds up.
(Simon gets out the book History of Chemistry)
Maya: Okay, I'm good. I believe you.