Why the US is Quickly Losing Ground in Science Competitiveness

This was a very disturbing article in this past Wednesday’s New York Times entitled “Few Students Show Proficiency In Science, Federal Tests Show.” According to the article, on the most recent nationwide science tests called the National Assessment of Education Progress, only 33 percent of fourth graders and 20 percent of high school seniors scored at or above proficiency!

The tests, created by the US Department of Education, were administered in early 2009 to about 308,000 fourth and eighth graders and 11,000 high school seniors. They were designed to test student’s knowledge and abilities in the physical sciences, life sciences and earth and space sciences. Because the format and design of the tests were changed since the last time they were administered in 2005, the results of the current test couldn’t be compared to the previous tests to determine whether or not science preparedness has improved, remained the same or decreased.  Nevertheless, the results did show that high school seniors were the least proficient in sciences (except history) as compared with other disciplines like economics, reading and even math!

The tests were administered to students in 46 states. New Hampshire and Montana appeared to be in the best shape whereas Mississippi was the worst (what a surprise). 

The results clearly demonstrate what many science educators have known for the past decade—US students suck in science and there doesn’t appear to be any fixes in sight! Therefore, is it any wonder why the US is losing its competitive global edge in the sciences? The bottom line is that US students aren’t engaged and apparently have lost interest in the sciences. 

Maybe it is really time for this generation of scientists to begin to better educate the public about the importance of science and also to consider careers as science educators at the middle and high school levels. After all, there aren’t many academic or industrial jobs for PhDs these days. So, why not do something that can help to better educate American students rather than complain about how much it sucks to be a postdoc and the lack of jobs for PhD life scientists.

Until next time...

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!