At the launch, ALISON CEO Mike Feerick spoke about the importance of science to society and the economy. "Investment in science education is crucial in today's world, and doing so will result in better citizens, societies, and economies in the future", he said.

Indeed, the organization "Science for All Americans" echoes Feerick's comments and point out that, a sound science education helps students develop life and critical reasoning skills "[Science education] develops the understandings and habits of mind students need to become compassionate human beings who are able to think for themselves and to face life head on. It should also equip them to participate thoughtfully with fellow citizens in building and protecting a society that is open, decent, and vital."

However, despite the myriad of benefits of more sophisticated scientific knowledge both inside and outside the classroom, investment remains relatively low. Sir Peter Williams, Vice-President of the Royal Society, the UK society for science, has argued governments must "invest heavily in a sector that is one of our few genuine areas of economic advantage. Science has to be central to any long-term strategy for economic growth."

The lack of educational investment in science has manifested itself in poor textbooks and teaching methods. In the US, the AAAS claims that science books for middle schools are not good enough to engage school children and leave them unable to connect what is in textbooks to what they are doing in the real world.

ALISON's courses offer a solution to monotonous programs that do little to engage or motivate students. 'Introduction to General Science' is a free interactive course that allows the learner to grapple with scientific knowledge in an interesting, self-paced, and straightforward way.

It is suitable for science students who wish to revise before exams, those working in laboratories who wish to reacquaint themselves with laboratory procedures, and those who wish to familiarize themselves with the fundamentals of science.