4 ms·
A 2001 poll conducted by the National Science Foundation in the US revealed the pervasiveness of the problem. Results showed that: -Only 48% of Americans knew
by nkh 17y ago
A 2001 poll conducted by the National Science Foundation in the US revealed the pervasiveness of the problem. Results showed that:
-Only 48% of Americans knew that the earliest humans did not live at the same time as the dinosaurs.
-Only 22% could properly define a molecule.
-Only 45% knew what DNA was and that lasers don't work by focusing sound waves
-Only 48% knew that electrons were smaller than atoms.
I can not comment how many times I have worked with people that have no grasp of the fundamentals of science and the scientific method. Not only we not produce enough scientists, but we produce a ridiculous amount of scientifically illiterate people.
- dandelany 17y agoThe number of scientists and the number of scientifically literate people are two different issues. It seems entirely plausible to me that the American education system produces more prospective research scientists than there are job openings for them, but that it also completely fails at teaching basic mathematic and scientific concepts to those who have no desire to be career scientists.