Worried About Math, Science Performance

Mar 23, 05:12 AM

Current Headlines: By Anonymous

AMERICANS RECOGNIZE THEY AREN'T FARING WELL

The United States isn't performing well in science and math education compared to other nations, say the majority (52 percent) of Americans. An even greater number (85 percent) say they know science is very important, according to a recent poll.

Most survey respondents (64 percent) don't think average Americans are knowledgeable about science, and 76 percent think it is very important that young people are encouraged to pursue scientific careers and that more opportunities for these careers are created.

The poll, which was commissioned by ResearchAmerica, also found that Americans see the role of science as most important to our health and to eliminating disease as compared to other societal issues. However, Americans understand the growing interdisciplinary nature of medical progress. While a majority (66 percent) say that the most important scientific research today takes place in medical and health-related fields, respondents also say medical progress is greatly influenced by research in chemistry (83 percent), computer science (62 percent), physics (58 percent), math (56 percent), and engineering (49 percent).

"To address todays unprecedented opportunities in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) work force, we must retool our education system to educate our young people in math and science more effectively and nurture the innate abilities of all young people, regardless of gender or race, to enter a STEM field of study," said Arden Bement Jr., Ph.D., director of the National Science Foundation. "In addition, our national priorities in the global information age should emphasize investment in basic research and a greater collaboration between the private and public sectors in R&D performance."

The poll also found that nearly all respondents (97 percent) think it is important that the United States be a global leader in scientific research. Most (97 percent) also believe scientific research is important to the U.S. economy.

Copyright Institute of Industrial Engineers Mar 2007

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