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 By Jack Lepiarz Mar. 15, 2006 A recent issue of TIME magazine outlined American's science output as compared to the past, and how many American scientists are choosing to go elsewhere for better pay and better working environments. The result is that other countries are surging ahead in nearly every field of science. Although America still leads in terms of scientific output, our lead is quickly dropping. A little while ago, one columnist suggested that the U.S. government cut all funding to science programs. "Nothing against science," he said, "but it's not government's place." It is that attitude exactly that is killing our scientific productivity. Too many Americans are far too arrogant as to America's standing in the world. We assume that we will always be the most powerful country in the world and that nothing can overcome "American entrepeneurship." Well, look at how that is paying off. Other countries are surging ahead technologically, China is surging ahead economically, and Americans are surging ahead in obesity. If we want our country to be successful, we must see to it that science is not ignored. Far too many American students are choosing careers other than science because they have better opportunities in fields like business. It's a well-known fact that you make a whole lot more money with an M.B.A. than with a Ph.D. Engineer Richard Mason wrote a letter to TIME after reading the article, "Is America Flunking Science?" saying how engineers and scientists rarely get the working environment that they desire, and so are tempted into other areas like law or business. Another man, Reverend Jimmy Shelbourn, pointed out another reason as to why Americans are "flunking science," as TIME so eloquently put it. "We have a scientifically illiterate President, megachurches that insist creation is 6,000 years old and an anti-intellectual climate that casts anyone of intelligence as a suspected terrorist. Falling behind in science? We are falling behind in intelligence!" Now, that might be a slightly extreme view, but in many ways, Mr. Shelbourn makes an excellent point. To put it quite simply, the dominance of religion in this country plays a large part in how much science classes learn. Furthermore, there are millions of people who cannot tell the difference between science and pure speculation. I've said it before and I'll say it again: intelligent design is NOT science. Far too many people do not understand that very simple fact. In some ways, technology is still rapidly improving in the country. Computer technology is booming beyond belief, and jobs that involve computers are expected to continue to grow at an incredibly rapid rate. However, there are far less opportunities for those with degrees in biology, chemistry, and physics, which is precisely why many of our best minds go to other countries where they are given the scientific freedom that they desire. The irony is that many of their ancestors came to America for that exact same reason - men like Albert Einstein, for example. When I was eight years old, I was in love with science. I loved learning about outer space, the dinosaurs, anything I could get my hands on. Now, at 17, I detest it. I regularly fall asleep in science classes, and often find myself not caring about the many formulas and numbers that go along with it. However, after every test or quiz, I can often be found reading my science textbook (usually the chapter regarding space and gravitation). I still love science, but I hate the way it is taught. There are too many experiments in an unorganized class, in which 90% of the students do not want to learn. The forced experiments are generally dull and rarely cause much learning (most students actually dread their double lab day - a weekly day in which they have two consecutive periods of science lab). I want to learn about science. After all, I work in the Super Scientific Circus, teaching children about centrifugal and centripetal force by spinning a plate, or about sonic booms by using a bull whip. As we say in the circus, science can be fun. You just have to make it interesting for the students. Otherwise, they'll just brush it off and go into business or, God forbid - the circus. ------------ About the author: Jack Lepiarz is a senior at Madison High School. Born in Waco, Texas, he lived with the Big Apple Circus for much of his early childhood, eventually moving to Madison, New Jersey, where he now resides. Although he is often described as stubborn and egotistical, he tries to keep an open-mind towards new ideas and treat people the way he would like to be treated. Email: Jackwuzhere42@aol.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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