Immigrants’ Children Inhabit the Top Ranks Of Math, Science Meets

By Sean Cavanagh

Washington

The nation’s most talented high school seniors in science and mathematics are contemplating Einstein’s equations, neutron stars, and elliptical orbits from such recognizably all-American locales as Fresno, Calif.; Athens, Ga.; and Shaker Heights, Ohio.

But many of them live in the United States as a result of their parents’ emigration from Turkey, China, Romania, and a host of other foreign nations, a study released last week finds.

Research conducted by the National Foundation for American Policy shows that 60 percent of the nation’s top science students and 65 percent of the top mathematics students are children of recent immigrants, according to an analysis of award winners...