SWCC Blog

The pitfalls and the promise of offloading our thinking

By Kim Taylor   •    December 10, 2025

Commentary/Op-Ed

This blog post was inspired by Kim’s presentation AI & Critical Thinking: Empowering the Next Generation at the 2025 Science Writers and Communicators of Canada conference.

Math Wars and the Calculator Debate

(Steve Buissinne via Pixabay)

Look at the picture in the above. Do you know what it is? Have you ever used one yourself? You might know that this is a handheld calculator. You might even own one of these.

This nifty little tool might seem quaint these days, but I remember the outcry from parents when they first began to appear in schools. These devices were part of the ‘math war’ that led many to question how calculators would impact math education.

Would students become overly reliant on these machines? Would they lose the ability to do basic math? Would they use the technology to ‘cheat’ their way through homework and tests? Even 50 years later, educators still come out on different sides of the calculator debate.

In June 2025, I asked participants at the 2025 Science Writers and Communicators of Canada (SWCC) conference during our "AI for Good" panel discussion if they considered using a calculator to be cheating. Most said no. But one person remarked that if a student used one during a test, then yes, it would be cheating.

Others quickly agreed, saying that the appropriateness of calculators depended on the situation. It could be inappropriate for an elementary student to use a calculator for a calculation, but not for an adult to use one in everyday life for the same calculation.

Using devices such as calculators means we can exert less mental effort, thus freeing our brains to do more complex tasks. Similar concerns are now being expressed about generative AI (gen AI) by parents and caregivers, educators and business leaders. They wonder how gen AI tools are impacting students’ thinking and are concerned that students will become overly reliant on these tools.

(Graphic by SWCC)

Gen AI and Cheating

Today, students have access to increasingly sophisticated gen AI tools, such as ChatGPT, that can help them write assignments, do homework and ace tests. And many students use them.

Given students’ easy access to gen AI, it’s not surprising that a 2025 report released by KPMG found almost 8 out of 10 Canadian students surveyed are using AI-generated content as their own work. But do the students consider this to be cheating? Two-thirds of these students said yes.

Between August to September 2025, KPMG surveyed 684 students attending university, college, vocational or high school educational institutions on their use of gen AI. KPMG is a full-service Audit, Tax and Advisory firm owned and operated by Canadians. (Graphic by SWCC)

Clearly, many students use gen AI, even if they feel that they are cheating, but why?

In a June 2025 Forbes magazine article, AI for Educators podcaster, Dan Fitzpatrick, interviewed San Jose high school student, William Liang, for his behind-the-scenes perspective on how his peers are using gen AI. Liang compares assignments to logistical hurdles that must be cleared as efficiently as possible. Gen AI gives him and his classmates a leg up on clearing hurdles through cognitive offloading, much like the calculators of decades past.

Is Gen AI Doing Too Much of Our Thinking?

Concerns about gen AI go far beyond simply cheating the system. Many wonder whether students will become overly reliant on gen AI at the expense of developing critical thinking skills. This question is also of interest to researchers.

For instance, a 2024 research study investigated the relationship between gen AI use and cognitive load. The study found that when university students used AI for research and answer-finding, their cognitive load was reduced. However, they also found that gen AI-use resulted in lower-quality reasoning for analysis and synthesis.

A 2025 study by Swiss researcher Michael Gerlich also looked at cognitive load. This time, it was in relation to cognitive offloading. Gerlich found that higher AI use led to greater cognitive offloading. He also found that, as cognitive offloading increased, critical thinking decreased. Especially notable was his finding that younger participants exhibited higher dependence on AI tools and scored lower on critical thinking compared to older participants.

(Graphic by SWCC)

So, given findings like these, how can we ensure that people use AI tools without losing their ability to think critically?

Brain First, Gen AI Second

A June 2025 study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology looked at the neural and behavioural impacts of using a large language model (LLM) to assist with writing essays. LLMs are a type of gen AI that focuses mainly on generating text. Participants were divided into three groups. Each group used either an LLM, a search engine or their brain (no tools) to assist them during three essay-writing sessions.

Participants were connected to an electroencephalography (EEG) device to measure brain activity during the sessions. The EEG results showed significant differences in cognitive activity among the three groups. As tool use increased, cognitive activity decreased.

During a fourth session, the LLM group could no longer use tools, and the brains-only group could use an LLM. Brain activity was once again measured. The researchers found that the LLM-to-brain group struggled to quote their own work and felt little ownership over what they had written.

On the other hand, the brain-to-LLM group had high memory recall and the highest feelings of ownership of their work. It is insight from research such as this that can help educators effectively use gen AI with students.

Kim Taylor speaking at the 2025 SWCC Annual Conference on June 13th, 2025 in Fredericton, N.B. about the impact of generative AI on young students. Taylor was part of the "AI For Good" panel, alongside Concordia University PhD candidate, Azfar Adib. (Photo by SWCC)

The Bottom Line

Like the calculator, gen AI can be useful in reducing mental effort if foundational skills are in place. It can also be an effective tool when it is used to extend, rather than replace, cognitive effort. But research has shown that there can be some serious side effects. If gen AI becomes the default for human cognitive effort, critical thinking, as well as many other skills, will be at risk.

Above all, like any other tool, people need to know how it works. They need to know its strengths and limitations, when it can help, and when it can harm. Just because you have a hammer, it doesn’t mean that every problem becomes a nail.

Note: Only the built-in grammar and spell check of MS Word and human reviewers were used in the writing and editing of this blog.

A copy of this article can also be accessed at https://letstalkscience.ca/news-media/generative-ai-killing-critical-thinking

Further Reading/Listening

Brains Before Bots (New Research), AI for Educators Daily, Spotify.

On Gen AIin the Classroom: Give Up, Give In, or Stand Up, Active History.

The Metacognition Revolution: AI is Playing a Central Role in Reshaping How We Learn, The Atlantic.

About the Author 

Kim Taylor is the Strategic Projects and Integration Officer for Let's Talk Science; a national charitable organization committed to preparing youth for evolving career and citizenship demands in a rapidly changing world. She has been a passionate science communicator and informal educator for more than 25 years and enjoys finding ways to put the “A” in STEAM through sustainable fibre arts.

Celebrating the convergence of biology and technology and how it shapes our world

By Amal Zafar   •    December 8, 2025

SciComm News

This past fall, biotech leaders, scientists, government representatives, educators and science enthusiasts gathered across the country to participate in Global Biotech Week.

Spanning September 20 to 27 of this year, Global Biotech Week brought together science and society through a wide range of events, from art exhibitions and workshops to policy meetings and public lectures. The goal was to showcase Canadian success in biotechnology and to educate the public and those in policy development about how biotechnology improves lives — from advancing medical research and sustainable agriculture to protecting the environment.

(Alejandro Barrón via Pexels)

National Roots

Global Biotech Week was first conceptualized in Canada when BIOTECanada — the national industry association representing over 230 member organizations across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, academia and their supporters — launched the first-ever National Biotechnology Week in 2003.

BIOTECanada President and CEO, Wendy Zatylny, notes, “Global Biotech Week has grown into an international celebration of the biotechnology industry’s impact and potential. It's a moment to showcase the strength of our national ecosystem and the leadership of provinces driving discovery, investment and innovation across the country.”

Since its humble beginnings in Canada, Global Biotech Week has become a global movement, inspiring similar events around the world in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, the United States of America and Australia. Together, these countries hosted approximately 100 events worldwide, each highlighting the vital role biotechnology plays in shaping a sustainable and healthy future.

Zatylny continues, “the week’s purpose has always been to raise awareness of biotechnology and its global significance, among policymakers, influencers and the public.”

Across Canada, events ranged from art exhibits and science workshops to panel discussions, networking sessions and facility tours. Among the many activities held throughout the week, CaRe Clinics hosted an open house at their Calgary location that allowed participants to step inside an active clinical research facility, meet the research team and gain insight into the studies being conducted across diverse therapeutic areas.

These activities not only celebrate the achievements of Canadian biotechnology, but also invite the public to explore how this field continues to influence the nation's health, environment and economy.

Inspiring Change Around the World

The impact of Global Biotech Week has reached far beyond Canada's borders. In fact, it helped inspire European Biotech Week, which began in 2013 through the European Association for Bioindustries, also referred to as EuropaBio. The organization works to create national and global frameworks that support the growth of biotechnology across different sectors.

During European Biotech Week, countries across Europe also hosted a variety of events that highlight the work being done in health, agriculture, environmental science and more. It shows how Canada’s idea has grown into something much bigger — a worldwide celebration of how biotechnology is shaping our future.

Global Biotech Week stands as a proud reminder that Canada’s leadership sparked a global conversation, one that continues to grow, evolve and connect science with society.

“Canada’s biotech sector is collaborative, globally connected and positioned to play a defining role in solving some of the world’s most pressing health and environmental challenges, and this year's 100-plus activities demonstrated just that,” Zatylny says.

The Canadian SciComm organization, the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada, is looking to provide a more comprehensive membership experience

By Elizabeth Benner   •    December 8, 2025

SWCC News

An important activity of the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada (SWCC) has been to provide timely and relevant professional development and networking opportunities through regular virtual events. Earlier this fall, the SWCC announced that its members will no longer be charged to attend these events, and that the associated costs will now be included in their annual membership fee.

As one of the largest science communication organizations in the country, the SWCC is taking steps to enrich memberships for existing holders and attract new individuals who are looking to develop their skills and knowledge in the field.

The Chair of the SWCC Ethics Committee, Rhonda Moore, giving a presentation at the 2025 SWCC Annual Conference in Fredericton, N.B.. Moore will be hosting a Member Meet-up in early January on the SWCC's next steps following the organization's release of their Guidelines for the Ethical Use of AI earlier this year. (Photo by SWCC)

SWCC President, Lucas Kavanagh, is excited about this change.

“We want to add as much value to the SWCC membership as possible. Removing barriers to these events also means more people can attend, facilitating lively discussions and more opportunities for networking,” he said.

Earlier this month, Kavanagh hosted a “Discussion on Fact Checking” Member Meet-up event, where attendees had the opportunity to share fact-checking strategies and best practices. The SWCC Professional Development Committee also hosted a fireside chat the following week with the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, who spoke on how to keep women and girls engaged in science.

For members who are not available to attend, all professional development events will be recorded and available via email link afterwards, as long as they register beforehand. While Member Meet-ups are also included in this change, a recording will not be available following the event in order to encourage attendee participation.

Speakers from the most recent SWCC virtual Member Meet-up and professional development events. From left to right: Lucas Kavanagh, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Tara Wood and Marty Kurylowicz.

SWCC Board members Kristina Campbell and Joshua Mogyoros are serving as co-chairs of the Professional Development and Membership Committee as of October 2025. Campbell wants to make sure that not only are members engaged throughout these events, but that they also come away informed and equipped for the future.

“Science communicators are facing some urgent issues and challenges at this moment in time,” she says. “Through SWCC’s professional development events, we’re aiming to provide a variety of tools and perspectives – coming from both inside and outside the organization – so we can navigate these challenges together.”

In order to cover event costs, the SWCC raised their membership fees, doing so for the first time in a decade. The organization has also introduced a new membership price tier for those who self-declare as unable to pay the full amount.

The new membership fees went into effect on October 1, 2025.

Next event

"Ethics and Generative AI: Next Steps for the SWCC". Virtual Member Meet-up. Speaker: Rhonda Moore. (Jan 7, 2026)

Earlier this year, the SWCC distributed a survey to its members to gauge their use and perspectives on Generative AI in science writing and communication, as well as how they view the SWCC's role in addressing its implications. On January 7th, Moore and members of the SWCC Ethics Committee will be hosting a Member Meet-up event to discuss the survey findings and its themes.

Register for "Ethics and Generative AI: Next Steps for the SWCC".

See the full list of SWCC virtual events.

Past Events

Since the start of this past fall, the SWCC has hosted four virtual events. More information can be found at the links below.

"Discussion on Fact Checking". Virtual Member Meet-up. Speaker: Lucas Kavanagh. (Nov 5, 2025)

"Keeping Women and Girls Engaged in Science: The Role of Science Communicators, from Policy to Press Coverage". Virtual Professional Development Event. Speaker: the Honourable Kirsty Duncan. (Nov 13, 2025)

"Using SciFi to Promote Science Curiosity & Vision". Virtual Professional Development Event. Speaker: Marty Kurylowicz. (Dec 4, 2025)

"Understanding Identity in Science Communication: Building Connection and Trust". Virtual Member Meet-up. Speaker: Tara Wood. (Dec 10, 2025)

Testicular organoids may one day offer hope to childhood cancer survivors facing infertility who want to start a family

By Anja Elsenhans   •    November 10, 2025

Science Explained

As a male patient, what would you do if you knew you might face fertility issues in the future? For adults, the answer is often simple: sperm banking. But for young cancer patients who have not yet gone through puberty, sperm banking is off the table.

Infertility is a common side effect of cancer therapy. Saving a child's life is, of course, the top priority. But they might not be able to fully understand the impact infertility will have on their future. As childhood cancer survival rates keep improving, more and more adult survivors are facing infertility as a consequence of their treatment.

Organoids may be one piece of the puzzle to help childhood cancer survivors live life on their own terms following cancer treatment. Organoids are lab-grown “mini organs” that can mimic the structure and function of real organs. This makes them a versatile tool for research with many potential real-world applications. Scientists are currently exploring how testicular organoids could one day offer a new path toward regaining fertility.

Making sperm

In the testicles, specialized cells – called germ cells – develop into sperm through a process known as “spermatogenesis”. Young males start to make sperm at the beginning of puberty. But until then, the germ cells within the testicles are immature, waiting and preparing to become sperm one day.

With the start of puberty, the wait is over. Germ cells begin the complex and multi-step process of spermatogenesis. It takes about 2 months for a germ cell to complete all steps of this process and become sperm. If those germ cells are damaged before puberty, because of cancer treatment, for example, they cannot go through spermatogenesis.

To tackle this issue, scientists are exploring ways to make sperm outside of the human body. Lab-grown “mini testicles”, called testicular organoids, have the potential to mimic the function of real testicles and produce sperm.

Testicular organoids today

Researchers around the world have already made testicular organoids for many species, including mice, pigs, and of course humans. Generally, cells can be isolated from a small piece of testicular tissue. The isolated cells contain a mix of different cell types found in the testicles, including the germ cells. When this mix of cells is forced into close proximity, the cells are often able to form organoids on their own.

Many testicular organoid models do a good job in mimicking the cellular architecture of the testicles. Most of them contain all key cell types found in the testicles, including the all-important germ cells. Researchers in Sweden have been able to generate rudimentary testicular organoids from the preserved testicular tissues of a childhood cancer patient.

This is a magnified view of a microwell plate with one testicular organoid in each microwell. Microwells are tiny pyramid-shaped structures that force cells into close proximity and enable organoid formation. The organoids here have just formed and are now ready for subsequent experiments. (Photo by Anja Elsenhans, the Dobrinski Lab, the University of Calgary.)

In addition to mimicking the cellular architecture of a testicle, testicular organoids should also be able to perform the main functions of the testicles: produce sperm. But so far, none of these “mini testicles” can do that.

Although producing sperm is challenging, scientists have not given up, and their hard work is starting to pay off. Making sperm is a complex, multi-step process. Germ cells must go through several stages of development before they turn into sperm. Researchers can now observe some of the early stages of sperm development happening inside human testicular organoids.

Organoids beyond the lab bench

Although this is an exciting time for reproductive research, it can raise ethical questions: Is lab-grown sperm safe, and how and when can it be used? In Canada, the Assisted Human Reproduction Act defines what is allowed when it comes to reproductive technologies. But it does not yet include clear guidelines for lab-grown sperm. As science progresses, the rules will have to evolve, too.

Testicular organoids may not be ready for clinical use just yet, but progress is steady. At the University of Calgary, Dr. Ina Dobrinski has advanced research on testicular organoids for several years.

“Sperm generated from testicular organoids is practically possible and within reach. One of the major obstacles right now is to keep testicular organoids alive long enough to support full spermatogenesis,” Dr. Dobrinski said.

In the near future, childhood cancer survivors may not only survive the cancer, but also be able to look forward to building families.

About the Author:

Anja Elsenhas completed her BSc in Medical Biology in Germany before moving to Canada to join Dr. Ina Dobrinski’s lab at the University of Calgary. As an MSc student in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, her research focuses on culturing testicular organoids.

Stay up to date on Anja’s work here.

SWCC members gather in Fredericton to discuss science communication’s changing international landscape – and how to plan for the road ahead

By Elizabeth Benner   •    November 10, 2025

SWCC News

Scientific cooperation has had a significant role in maintaining harmony around the world. Sharing information and knowledge between countries not only encourages collaboration among researchers, but also allows national representatives to resolve conflicting points of view. However, evolving international relationships in the last decade have caused science and its communication to be sidelined in the political discourse. Science communicators are now finding it more and more difficult to inform key audiences, leading to growing unrest among communities.

At the 2025 annual Science Writers and Communicators of Canada (SWCC) conference, which took place June 12–13 in Fredericton, SWCC president Rhonda Moore opened the event with a panel of international science journalists to draw attention to this important conversation. The panelists, part of the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ), spoke on the current state of science communication and media in their home countries — Costa Rica, Mexico and the United States.

“We’ve had some challenges in the last few years, which I think is a trend in many countries worldwide,” said Debbie Ponchner, an award-winning Costa Rican science journalist and editor of Knowable en español. She describes how the government’s relationship with journalists has changed in her country. “They have been very harsh in attacks [on] the press.

Panelist, Debbie Ponchner, speaking to attendees at the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada Conference on June 12, 2025 in Frederickton, New Brunswick. (Photo by SWCC)

This conflict not only interferes with journalists’ ability to inform the public, but also erodes their authority and credibility as storytellers. However, it’s not just government administrations that are a cause for concern. Changes in technology and information-sharing has opened up new avenues of communication — some of which may be harder to use than others.

Changing patterns in readership

Over the past few decades, a shift in how readers consume information has destabilized revenue sources, moving the industry from print to digital media. Newer social media platforms have also emphasized quicker, more digestible content formats, like TikTok and Instagram reels. And, thanks to the accessibility of the internet, anyone can post anything.

“As Americans, we are seeing more scenarios where it is difficult to inform our audiences with verified, scientific information,” said Tinsley Davis on what keeps her up at night. Davis is the Executive Director of the US National Association of Science Writers and a leader and advocate for issues in STEM — Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics — and science journalism.

Davis continued, "people have shifted the way they get information, with more of it coming from social media… but they don’t have a complete understanding of what is verified and what is a [reputable] journalistic source."

To prevent the spread of misinformation, and the social division which comes with it, Ponchner said it’s not enough to simply tell the stories — you need to engage with the public to maintain that connection.

“You have to have to go where the audience is,” she said, in response to an audience question about reaching viewers on social media. “Whoever you want to reach — you have to go there.”

Attendees at the 2025 SWCC conference asking the panelists questions about the evolving challenges in science journalism and communication. (Photo by SWCC)

With all of these obstacles, it’s understandable that science communicators and journalists are worried. Keeping up with the regular demands of the job while also constantly adapting to evolving methods of communication can be a difficult task. But the solution to this problem might be closer than we think.

Considering the future of science communication

As the discussion drew to a close, it was clear that the loss of connection and trust with audiences around the world to tell these critical stories paints a worsening picture for the stability of science. If science communicators can’t stay afloat and maintain scientific credibility in this changing world, it will no longer be clear where the truth lies.

But as Aleida Rueda, a science journalist and science communicator at the Centre for Complexity Sciences in Mexico, emphasizes that science communicators must first recognize that they can’t do this alone.

"If science communicators can’t stay afloat and maintain scientific credibility in this changing world, it will no longer be clear where the truth lies."

“Ten years ago, we didn’t have a network, we didn’t have colleagues to help each other reflect about what we can do together,” Rueda said. “What gives me hope is collaboration,”

As science communicators move into the coming years, one thing is clear — connection is the vital ingredient in getting them through this moment in time. And this isn’t just working with colleagues in research, journalism and communications, but also with those who are able to help us best use social media platforms and those who can get communicators in front of the leaders of nations. Only through acknowledging our need for connection, can communicators successfully connect with their audience.