If these really were "What Scientists Think" classes, that would be fine. Trouble is, they are more like "Here Is The Truth" classes. There is an awkward gap between what is now called "philosophy" and what is now called "science" and woe betide the poor fool who tries to keep a foot in both.
All elementary classes are "here is the truth" classes. Philosophical inquiry is for mature minds.
There is an awkward gap between what is now called "philosophy" and what is now called "science"
It's not "awkward" at all. It's purposeful. Science can't get it's business done if it has to untangle Hume-ian doubts every time we want to do an experiment.
and woe betide the poor fool who tries to keep a foot in both.
Indeed. Woe bedtide those who, with an obvious agenda, would would try to convince children that scientists think something other than what they do think, under the guise of reverence for abstract philosophy.