Final answer:
Scientific literacy encompasses a deep understanding of science processes, facts, theories, and the ability to critically evaluate information to make informed decisions, which has a significant impact on both personal and societal levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Scientific literacy means understanding the process of science, including basic facts and theories, to make informed decisions. This involves being able to identify credible scientific sources, interpret and evaluate information, and understand the relationship between science and society. A scientifically literate individual is not necessarily someone who can read and understand scientific journal articles without difficulty or who has taken university-level science courses, though these experiences can contribute to literacy.
Instead, it is about having enough knowledge about science to engage in conversations that affect individual or community decisions and being a good critical thinker. It also means being comfortable with elements like scientific notation, unit conversion, understanding formulas, rates, proportions, and interpreting data. These skills are vital to navigating the modern world where scientific information is abundant and directly impacts society.