Scientists, do you think that more people should take an interest in Science?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by aspiring_natural

Otherwise, why do you think that only such a small percentage of the population wants to grow up to become scientists?

What does "a small percentage" mean? Maybe too many people want to be scientists. Are scientists in demand? Is their unemployment rate near zero?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Nomander

It would be nice, that is for sure.

Personally, I think 2 semesters of Calc and 2 semesters of Calc Physics should be mandatory general ed.

I'd agree if you also require them to throw a 95 MPH fastball or have a 85% free throw percentage or can run 40 yards in less than five seconds.

[PITTSTON2SARASOTA]

Originally Posted by Charles

I'd agree if you also require them to throw a 95 MPH fastball or have a 85% free throw percentage or can run 40 yards in less than five seconds.

You hit the nail on the head.

Sports are glorified and sports professionals are grossly overpaid.

While Scientists who study hard for years are considered "nerds", "geeks", etcetera by our society....while being vilified by a certain segment of our population.

Just watch any typical American "B" movie(in general) where the smart kids are picked on/bullied while the "dumb" jocks rule and "get the girl".

[summers19]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

School systems cutting back on lab materials where lab experiments have been replaced by lectures about the lab experiments they didn't do, is another factor.

Excellent point. Many students who are initally attracted to the sciences are hands-on type of learners. They like to 'do', not just listen to lectures and hear about experiments.

[Nomander]

Originally Posted by Charles

I'd agree if you also require them to throw a 95 MPH fastball or have a 85% free throw percentage or can run 40 yards in less than five seconds.

I never really tried to achieve those levels, are you saying the average person can be trained to achieve such? If so, then yes, that too.

I am however saying that the average person can handle 2 semesters of Calc and Physics. The problem with those classes is not "I can't", rather it is "I don't want to".

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Nomander

I never really tried to achieve those levels, are you saying the average person can be trained to achieve such? If so, then yes, that too.

I am however saying that the average person can handle 2 semesters of Calc and Physics. The problem with those classes is not "I can't", rather it is "I don't want to".

What about "Why should I?" How many "average people" need two semesters of calculus and physics? I think it would do them and society a lot more good if everyone had at least one PE class every semester. I took five (5) PE classes just about every semester.

[Nomander]

Originally Posted by Charles

What about "Why should I?" How many "average people" need two semesters of calculus and physics? I think it would do them and society a lot more good if everyone had at least one PE class every semester. I took five (5) PE classes just about every semester.

I understand your point, and I can agree to an extent. Yet my problem is that when you look all of the already mandated classes in many states which are arguably just as irrelevant and pointless depending on your focus (I attended a CA school) such as social anthropology, ethnic studies, sensitivity to cultures, Chicano history, etc... You would think that level math and physics would be important.

[Chemistry_Guy]

The reason science knowledge is so important is that the average person is completely dependent on technology that they cannot begin to comprehend. Not everyone needs to be able to build a cell phone from scratch, but people should have a general idea of how the technology works. Now that so much of the food that we eat is a synthetic mixture of engineered proteins, salts, artificial flavors, preservatives, fortified with minerals, etc, it is important that an average person be able to understand a nutrition label. In the old days, common sense was good enough. You simply knew that leaving metal tools in the rain would cause them to rust, or that spoiled food was bad to eat, or that improper sanitation results in illness. The modern world is not so intuitive. Do most people know why a gasoline engine can't run on diesel yet can tolerate high concentrations of ethanol, or why doubling your dose of some medications is harmless while with others it can be fatal? Manufacturers can only do so much to protect people from their own ignorance, and at some point the inefficiency of making all consumer products idiot-proof will create vast societal problems,