American Adults Flunk Basic Science
Might help explain why so many buy into global warming … Although, I have a feeling the center pushes the idea in its agenda.
Are Americans flunking science? A new national survey commissioned by the California Academy of Sciences and conducted by Harris Interactive® reveals that the U.S. public is unable to pass even a basic scientific literacy test.
Over the past few months, the American government has allocated hundreds of billions of dollars for economic bailout plans. While this spending may provide a short-term solution to the country’s economic woes, most analysts agree that the long-term solution must include a transition to a more knowledge-based economy, including a focus on science, which is now widely recognized as a major driver of innovation and industry.
Despite its importance to economic growth, environmental protection, and global health and energy issues, scientific literacy is currently low among American adults. According to the national survey commissioned by the California Academy of Sciences:
- Only 53% of adults know how long it takes for the Earth to revolve around the Sun.
- Only 59% of adults know that the earliest humans and dinosaurs did not live at the same time.
- Only 47% of adults can roughly approximate the percent of the Earth’s surface that is covered with water.
- Only 21% of adults answered all three questions correctly.
Knowledge about some key scientific issues is also low. Despite the fact that access to fresh water is likely to be one of the most pressing environmental issues over the coming years, less than 1% of U.S. adults know what percent of the planet’s water is fresh (the correct answer is 3%). Nearly half didn’t even hazard a guess. Additionally, 40% of U.S. adults say they are “not at all knowledgeable” about sustainability.
Despite this lack of knowledge, U.S. adults do believe that scientific research and education are important. About 4 in 5 adults think science education is “absolutely essential” or “very important” to the U.S. healthcare system (86%), the U.S. global reputation (79%), and the U.S. economy (77%).
“There has never been a greater need for investment in scientific research and education,” said Academy Executive Director Dr. Gregory Farrington. “Many of the most pressing issues of our time—from global climate change to resource management and disease—can only be addressed with the help of science.”
To test your own scientific knowledge, please visit the California Academy of Sciences’ website at http://www.calacademy.org.
Methodology
This survey was conducted by telephone within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of the California Academy of Science between December 17 and December 21, 2008 among 1,002 adults ages 18+.
* The approximately correct answer range for this question was defined as anything between 65% and 75%. Only 15% of respondents answered this question with the exactly correct answer of 70%.
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Hmmmmm the percentages reflect pretty closely the percentages during the election…coincidence? I think not.
Are they getting 33% or 69%
This is just freaking pathetic.
How can you not know that the Earth takes 365 days (actually 365.25 days) to orbit the sun?
You have to be a lame-brain not to know this second grade stat.
Most of the scientific facts nobody cares about and so typically over time forget.
The dinosaurs and humans living together I would argue with. Basically which dinosaurs?
Ditto. There’s actually quite a bit of evidence that humans existed contemporaniously with dinos. http://s8int.com
The only reason for this is that intellegence is no longer rewarded in this country-we worship dumb models singers and talk show hosts who get points for loudness, rather than thinking this is what happens
Ditto.Many,many dittos. Just eavesdrop on a twenty-something conversation anywhere.Unbelievably mindless,shallow babble.Young people are living in a time more frightening than I did comming up during the Cold War.They have been dumbed down by the very people who are supposed to protect them.
It is creeping,unrepenant EVIL
Considering how much false science is on continuous display by the MSM……
Science and math are not “glamor” subjects because they take a lot of effort to learn. We have been led into a instant gratification dumbed down world by our politicians and the media. (How shallow is USA Today?)
When someone actually excels in science or math they are immediately labeled a geek and shunned by their peers … that is until that geek is worth about 50 Billion and owns Microsoft.. then it’s cool.
Bring back the GE College bowl! Reward scholarship! and demand more in depth coverage of events from our media.
Libtard outcome based education has been a disaster for our kids. I would compare it to a form of child abuse.