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Why is this project urgently needed?The Science Crisis: A Challenge Facing Us All
America is facing a crisis where science literacy and education is concerned. According to a national survey developed by the California Academy of Sciences and the polling organization Harris Interactive, the American public lacks basic scientific knowledge at a time when science-related issues - bioengineering, mapping the human genome, environmental problems, global climate change - have an increasing impact on daily life. Forty-three percent of Americans say they understand less and less of what scientists are doing.
Much of this discomfort with science is due to the limited opportunities that young people have to explore science during their early school years - a critical time for nurturing curiosity, building understanding, and fostering interest in future careers.
The Third International Mathematics and Science Study revealed that students in the U.S. were among the lowest scoring students from 41 nations that participated in the study. In California, the problem is particularly acute. The National Assessment of Educational Progress found that California students performed worst in the nation in science and that only 25% of elementary teachers report feeling very well qualified to teach science.
Who will make up the science and technology workforce of the future? The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts faster growth for science and engineering occupations than in any others ‹ an increase of 47% from 2000-2010 for science and engineering occupations compared with a 15% increase in overall occupations. Yet the National Science Foundation has documented the precipitous decline in the number of Americans enrolled in graduate schools in science and engineering. Many companies are now relying on foreign workers to fill these critical positions because they cannot find enough highly skilled U.S workers.
Without serious initiatives to improve science education, who will find new therapies to treat cancer or invent the next generation of fuel efficient cars? How will citizens be prepared to vote on critical issues affecting our communities?
Yet fostering career interests is only one aspect of the science education issue. Each day adults and children are faced with information and choices related to the science and technology in our daily lives. Without a fundamental understanding of science, it can be more difficult to sort out credible information and make informed decisions ‹ decisions that affect our personal health, neighborhoods and the environment.
Finally, in looking at the trends in demographics, it becomes clear that there is also increasing need for meaningful experiences that a family can share together. With more working parents and the hectic schedules of children and adults, locations and experiences that draw people together in a positive educational setting help to strengthen the fabric of our community and add to the quality of life.
Science in the Valley
Support for the expansion of Explorit will provide a valuable long-term resource to address this national need in a regional way. As Congressman Mike Thompson, First Congressional District, wrote in a recent letter supporting Explorit's outreach efforts, "The need for a science literate workforce is greater than ever, especially in our region that is rich with technology-based companies. Yet given the fiscal restraints that are affecting public education, science learning too often takes a back seat to many other priorities."
Our region is growing dramatically; in 2002, Yolo, Sacramento, and Placer Counties were all ranked in the top 10 fastest growing counties in California. It is estimated by the Sacramento Region Blueprint Project that there will be 1.7 million more people in the Sacramento Region by 2050 than there were in 2000. To keep pace our regional science education resources must expand as well. For more information call Explorit at 530-756-0191
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Send feedback to
Explorit Science Center
P.O. Box 1288, Davis, CA 95617, USA
Phone: (530)756-0191 Fax: (530)756-1227
Page last updated: February 8, 2007
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