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Curiosity, Tools, and Responsibility: A Reflection from the Priestley House
Curiosity, Tools, and Responsibility: A Reflection from the Priestley House
Recently, I spent the day supporting students from the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit through the Chief Science Officer program during a visit to the Joseph Priestley House.
Students toured the historic home, interacted with a living-history interpreter portraying Joseph Priestley, and explored what science looked like in the late 1700s. They learned how discovery happened before modern instruments, before digital sensors, before instant information.
It was a good experience for the students. But as the day unfolded, I found myself reflecting on something deeper.
The Human Side of Discovery
The Human Side of Discovery
At one point, I saw the small bed Priestley would have slept on. It was simple and uncomfortable by today’s standards. No modern medicine. No modern convenience. No advanced tools waiting in a lab.
Yet this was someone who woke up each day driven to explore the unknown and ultimately helped shape our understanding of the air we breathe.
That contrast is hard to ignore.
Today we live with:
Unlimited information
Powerful technology
Artificial intelligence
Comfort and convenience many in history never had
And yet, the core engine of discovery hasn’t changed.
Curiosity still leads the way.
Priestley didn’t chase headlines or prestige. Many of his discoveries came from simply asking questions and exploring the world around him. Some breakthroughs weren’t even what he originally set out to find.
That’s a powerful reminder: discovery often follows curiosity, not intention.
Priestley’s work on the chemistry of gases, including oxygen, helped shape the early science of our atmosphere.
Priestley’s experiments with gases, including carbon monoxide, didn’t happen in some distant lab — they happened right here in the Susquehanna Valley, overlooking the Susquehanna River, showing that curiosity and discovery can happen anywhere.
A New Frontier, Same Human Questions
A New Frontier, Same Human Questions
The day concluded with discussion about using artificial intelligence to model Priestley by training systems on his writings and records.
That felt symbolic.
Priestley stood at the frontier of science in his time. AI represents a frontier in ours. Different tools, same human drive to understand our world.
But AI introduces something increasingly important: intent.
A calculator can speed up math, but you still need to understand the fundamentals. AI is similar, but with greater reach and greater consequence. The tool itself isn’t good or bad — the impact depends on how people choose to use it.
That raises a bigger question for education:
Are we only teaching how to use tools,
or are we also teaching the responsibility that comes with them?
Why Experiences Like This Matter
Why Experiences Like This Matter
Days like this aren’t just about history or content delivery. They’re about exposure. They show students that science is human, accessible, and driven by curiosity.
They also show that discovery doesn’t require perfect conditions or elite status. It requires questions, persistence, and a willingness to explore.
If there’s one takeaway, it’s this:
Tools will always evolve.
Technology will always change.
But curiosity and responsibility remain constant.
And those are qualities worth nurturing in the next generation.
I’m grateful to the educators, organizers, and volunteers who create these opportunities for students. Experiences like this plant seeds — and sometimes those seeds grow into futures we can’t yet imagine.
Visiting the Joseph Priestley House
The Joseph Priestley House is one of the true jewels of the Susquehanna Valley. Preserved as a historic site, it offers a window into the life and discoveries of Joseph Priestley and the world of 18th-century science. Visiting supports the ongoing efforts to maintain this treasure for future generations, and I encourage anyone interested in history, science, or the story of curiosity and discovery to check out their programs and exhibits. Learn more here: https://joseph-priestley-house.org/
Author’s Note
Author’s Note
This article was written by Douglas E. Fessler. The ideas and reflections are my own, drawing on decades of experience in IT, environmental monitoring, STEM education, and community initiatives. AI-assisted tools were used to structure and clarify complex concepts — a reflection, in itself, of the subject explored.
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