I think that learning the scientific method is essential to being able to understand and do science.
Requiring adherence to the latest scientific consensus only stifles learning and the ability to think that makes the application of the scientific method a useful tool to use.
Doing science is overrated as well. An undergraduate education in science is helpful if you’re of sufficient aptitude for it and if you’re headed towards a career that could benefit from a rigorous curriculum of chemistry of physics. (Biology: not so much rigor.) If you want a job where you can do interesting things that people care about and don’t have to live on the public dole, become an engineer.