Embargoed until:
NSF PR 98-36 (NSB 98-127) - July 1, 1998
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Science and Engineering Indicators '98 Survey Shows
Americans' Interest in Science Grows
But Actual Understanding of Scientific
Terms and Concepts Still Lags
Americans say they are more interested and more aware
than ever about scientific discoveries, inventions
and new technologies. However, they still score low
on actual understanding of basic scientific terms
and concepts, such as the definition of molecules
and DNA, and how frequently the earth revolves around
the sun.
The public also seems divided intellectually and emotionally
over the impact of some technological developments.
The newest survey measuring public attitudes and understanding
of science, engineering and technology was published
in the latest National Science Board's (NSB) biennial
report to Congress, Science and Engineering
(S&E) Indicators 1998. The report is the
NSB's volume of vital statistics on the state of science,
engineering and technology in the United States.
"The awareness and interest in science continues on
an upward path, but most Americans still don't understand
the scientific process very well, and that affects
their views on the nation's science policy," Jon Miller,
who conducted the survey for the National Science
Foundation (NSF), said. Miller is director of the
International Center for the Advancement of Scientific
Literacy at the Chicago Academy of Sciences.
In a testing method used for national and international
surveys, American adults were asked a series of nine
basic questions. On a zero-to-100 scale, their mean
score was 55. Survey-takers scored worst on a question
about their understanding of what is a molecule. They
scored best on their understanding of how the continents
are moving slowly about on the face of the earth.
"The American public believes that science and technology
improves the quality of life, but its concern over
specific technologies, such as nuclear power for electricity
and genetic engineering, indicates that the public
has not given science a blank check. And the scientific
community needs to communicate its work more clearly
and effectively because only one in four Americans
understands the process of scientific discovery,"
Neal Lane, outgoing NSF director, said.
Among other survey findings:
- Almost 70 percent of Americans surveyed in 1997
said they are interested in science and technology,
the highest level ever;
- Meanwhile, only one in five Americans think they
are well-informed about new scientific discoveries
and in the use of new inventions and technologies.
This is improved compared to 1995;
- American adults appear to understand basic scientific
concepts as well as or better than other industrialized
nations, in contrast with results produced by
some American students in the Third International
Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS).
- While there is a continuing rise in the use of
computers in the workplace or at home across the
general population, the biggest increase by far
over the last two years has been among those with
at least a bachelor's degree.
The impact of information technologies on the economy,
education and on private citizens is now so vast that
a new chapter was written for S&E Indicators
1998 to assess the issue. The report finds
that the use of these technologies in the workplace
is pervasive but that there are significant inequities
in access to computers and the Internet in schools.
"We should be concerned about these inequities in
our schools," Shirley Malcom, former NSB member and
chair of its education and human resources committee,
said. "It is crucial that our schools have consistently
modern tools together with quality content, and that
teachers get the training needed to instruct students
using these technologies."
The National Science Board is the governing body for
the National Science Foundation, an independent federal
agency which develops S&E Indicators
for the NSB every two years through the Division of
Science Resources Studies. The final report is submitted
to the President, who transmits it to Congress.
The URL for the web version of Science and Engineering
Indicators 1998 is:
http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/seind98/start.htm
For other press releases about S&E Indicators,
see:
- PR 98-34 Upswing in
Industrial R&D Creating Positive Economic Benefits:
New data released in S&E Indicators
1998
- PR 98-35 Growth of Information
Technology is Changing the Face of the Economy:
S&E Indicators '98 says IT likened
in scope to Industrial Revolution
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