Closing the Science Gap by Hand

America’s latest report card on science and engineering education arrived last month, and let’s just say that if our school system were a 16-year-old, it would be grounded immediately—and have the car keys taken away, too.

The key findings of the National Science Board’s “Science and Engineering Indicators 2008” were no surprise. Our schools have been lagging behind in the vital science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM, areas for several years now. With rising competition from economic and entrepreneurial powers like China and India, the American education system has its work cut out for it.

As an engineer and educator who works to translate science to teenagers, I think the root problem lies not in American students’ heads,...

This article is available to subscribers only.

To keep reading this article and more, subscribe now or purchase this article.

Already have an account? Please login.


Subscribe to Education Week and Save

Get a full year and save up to 45%!

Premium Online + Print


37 issues + Online Access
$89

You Save 45%

SUBSCRIBE NOW

(See details.)

Premium Online


12 Months Online Access
$74

You Save 38%

SUBSCRIBE NOW

(See details.)


Most Popular Stories

Viewed

Emailed

Recommended

Commented