It's 'science' and the stuff they brainwash... sorry, 'teach' in schools that is the problem.
Teaching is not a problem.
Problem is deliberate ignorance some students choose to show that "they already know everything and it is insult for them to learn more".
Most often cause for that is either laziness, or excessive vanity.
All we are seeing now is an awakening of people that are questioning things that we are told not to question.
What you describe here actually happened some 400 years ago when people had to fight Dogma for knowledge and progress to take place.
Giordano Bruno was burnt at stake, Galileo forced to forever reject his and Copernicus' teachings (and imprisoned at home for life)...
Oh but 'science' says it, therefore it MUST be true. No, its not.
Here you are absolutely right.
There are no personal authorities in science.
The only authority are observations and measurements.
Facts and figures.
Science isn't "belief system".
It is tool, to be used and improved.
You don't "worship" science and "light candles in front of it".
Just like every tool, you have to learn how to use it, and you have to maintain and improve it when you can.
Unlike Dogma, you DO look and question science from every angle and point of view.
You never say "it is perfect" while it's not even close.
There is plenty of room for improvements and humanity will advance, not revert back to Christian Dark Age.
Don't pray for things, learn how and then do them instead.
Tesla's father was Serbian Orthodox priest in south-eastern Austria-Hungary (that part today is Croatia), but Tesla didn't pray for this electricity we use today.
He made it.
"Don't make a wish, make an effort."