The document summarizes the findings of a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center and Smithsonian magazine that tested the public's knowledge of science and technology. It found that while most Americans correctly answered questions about topics like sunscreen and antibiotics, knowledge varied widely across subjects. Younger Americans scored as well as older adults on many science questions, unlike on political topics, though those 65+ knew less about nanotechnology and lasers. Men outperformed women on average but women knew more about health topics.
The document summarizes key findings from the 2011 Public Attitudes to Science study in the UK. It found that while most of the public values science and sees its benefits, some remain concerned about regulation of scientists and potential negative consequences. Segmentation analysis identified groups with different levels of engagement, from "Confident Engagers" who are already highly engaged to "Indifferent" who are least engaged. Effective communication requires understanding these groups and their preferences to build understanding and trust in science.
This document discusses evaluating arguments on both sides of the issue of cell phone safety. It presents evidence and arguments from those who believe cell phones are safe and those who believe they present health risks. Students review these pro and con positions, discussing which presents stronger evidence based on research data and logical reasoning. They then prepare to write an essay evaluating both sides of the cell phone debate.
Univ of Miami CTSI: Citizen science seminar; Oct 2014Richard Bookman
The University of Miami's Clinical & Translational Science Institute runs a seminar course for MS students.
This talk surveys 8 citizen science projects, reviews NIH's current activities, and identifies issues for attention, particularly with ethical, legal and social implications.
Cons of using mobile phones in classroomIBA Sukkur
The document outlines several cons of using mobile phones, including distraction, cheating on exams, obesity, sleep deprivation, mental illness, health hazards, reduced cognitive ability, and other issues. It discusses studies showing mobile phones impair concentration and attention spans. The presence of a phone can automatically distract users. Mobile phone use is also implicated in rising rates of child depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. Health hazards include potential brain cell damage from radiation exposure. Excessive mobile phone use may negatively impact students' cognitive development and attention spans.
This document discusses the responsible use of data science techniques and technologies. It describes data science as answering questions using large, noisy, and heterogeneous datasets that were collected for unrelated purposes. It raises concerns about the irresponsible use of data science, such as algorithms amplifying biases in data. The work of the DataLab group at the University of Washington is presented, which aims to address these issues by developing techniques to balance predictive accuracy with fairness, increase data sharing while protecting privacy, and ensure transparency in datasets and methods.
Back to School - The ABC's of Cell Phone Safety - Experts Say Kids Should Lim...v2zq
Back to School - The ABC's of Cell Phone Safety - Experts Say Kids Should Limit Use & Keep Phones Away from their Heads - Resources for Healthy Children www.scribd.com/doc/254613619 - For more information, Please see Organic Edible Schoolyards & Gardening with Children www.scribd.com/doc/254613963 - Gardening with Volcanic Rock Dust www.scribd.com/doc/254613846 - Double Food Production from your School Garden with Organic Tech www.scribd.com/doc/254613765 - Free School Gardening Art Posters www.scribd.com/doc/254613694 - Increase Food Production with Companion Planting in your School Garden www.scribd.com/doc/254609890 - Healthy Foods Dramatically Improves Student Academic Success www.scribd.com/doc/254613619 - City Chickens for your Organic School Garden www.scribd.com/doc/254613553 - Huerto Ecológico, Tecnologías Sostenibles, Agricultura Organica www.scribd.com/doc/254613494 - Simple Square Foot Gardening for Schools - Teacher Guide www.scribd.com/doc/254613410 - Free Organic Gardening Publications www.scribd.com/doc/254609890 ~
Doing Social and Political Research in a Digital Age: An Introduction to Digi...Liliana Bounegru
Lecture given at the National Center of Competence in Research: Challenges to Democracy in the 21st Century, 5 November 2015, Zürich University, Zürich, Switzerland
The document summarizes key findings from the 2011 Public Attitudes to Science study in the UK. It found that while most of the public values science and sees its benefits, some remain concerned about regulation of scientists and potential negative consequences. Segmentation analysis identified groups with different levels of engagement, from "Confident Engagers" who are already highly engaged to "Indifferent" who are least engaged. Effective communication requires understanding these groups and their preferences to build understanding and trust in science.
This document discusses evaluating arguments on both sides of the issue of cell phone safety. It presents evidence and arguments from those who believe cell phones are safe and those who believe they present health risks. Students review these pro and con positions, discussing which presents stronger evidence based on research data and logical reasoning. They then prepare to write an essay evaluating both sides of the cell phone debate.
Univ of Miami CTSI: Citizen science seminar; Oct 2014Richard Bookman
The University of Miami's Clinical & Translational Science Institute runs a seminar course for MS students.
This talk surveys 8 citizen science projects, reviews NIH's current activities, and identifies issues for attention, particularly with ethical, legal and social implications.
Cons of using mobile phones in classroomIBA Sukkur
The document outlines several cons of using mobile phones, including distraction, cheating on exams, obesity, sleep deprivation, mental illness, health hazards, reduced cognitive ability, and other issues. It discusses studies showing mobile phones impair concentration and attention spans. The presence of a phone can automatically distract users. Mobile phone use is also implicated in rising rates of child depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. Health hazards include potential brain cell damage from radiation exposure. Excessive mobile phone use may negatively impact students' cognitive development and attention spans.
This document discusses the responsible use of data science techniques and technologies. It describes data science as answering questions using large, noisy, and heterogeneous datasets that were collected for unrelated purposes. It raises concerns about the irresponsible use of data science, such as algorithms amplifying biases in data. The work of the DataLab group at the University of Washington is presented, which aims to address these issues by developing techniques to balance predictive accuracy with fairness, increase data sharing while protecting privacy, and ensure transparency in datasets and methods.
Back to School - The ABC's of Cell Phone Safety - Experts Say Kids Should Lim...v2zq
Back to School - The ABC's of Cell Phone Safety - Experts Say Kids Should Limit Use & Keep Phones Away from their Heads - Resources for Healthy Children www.scribd.com/doc/254613619 - For more information, Please see Organic Edible Schoolyards & Gardening with Children www.scribd.com/doc/254613963 - Gardening with Volcanic Rock Dust www.scribd.com/doc/254613846 - Double Food Production from your School Garden with Organic Tech www.scribd.com/doc/254613765 - Free School Gardening Art Posters www.scribd.com/doc/254613694 - Increase Food Production with Companion Planting in your School Garden www.scribd.com/doc/254609890 - Healthy Foods Dramatically Improves Student Academic Success www.scribd.com/doc/254613619 - City Chickens for your Organic School Garden www.scribd.com/doc/254613553 - Huerto Ecológico, Tecnologías Sostenibles, Agricultura Organica www.scribd.com/doc/254613494 - Simple Square Foot Gardening for Schools - Teacher Guide www.scribd.com/doc/254613410 - Free Organic Gardening Publications www.scribd.com/doc/254609890 ~
Doing Social and Political Research in a Digital Age: An Introduction to Digi...Liliana Bounegru
Lecture given at the National Center of Competence in Research: Challenges to Democracy in the 21st Century, 5 November 2015, Zürich University, Zürich, Switzerland
However important improved public understanding of science might be, it is only part of the picture of how society reacts to new developments in science and technology, especially when controversy breaks out. Extensive research supports strong roles for values, beliefs and trust, arguably stronger factors in many cases than the role of science literacy by itself.
ScienceOnline2011 Web2.Owned Social Media SurveyMary Canady
The survey collected responses from 339 participants about their use of social media for science communication. Most (70%) respondents had science-related jobs. The survey found that Twitter was the primary way participants learned about the survey (65%) and the social media platform seen as providing the best science information (65%). Respondents highly rated their interest in science (average 6.58/7) and social networking (5.36/7) for keeping up with science. The most rewarding aspects of science and social media were found to be accessing new information and connecting with people, while information overload and lack of time were the most frustrating challenges.
This document summarizes a talk given by Jane Lubchenco at the 1997 AAAS annual meeting about how the scientific community needs to adapt to meet new environmental challenges. It discusses four key points: 1) How the world is changing due to human impacts like population growth and resource use; 2) The implications of these global changes for society; 3) The role science must play in addressing challenges created by a changing world; and 4) How scientists should respond to these challenges by reexamining priorities and redirecting efforts towards more sustainable solutions. The author calls on scientists to define a new social contract to devote their skills and research towards the most pressing problems of the day in exchange for public funding.
Sherri Rose wrote a fascinating article about statistician’s role in big data. One thing I really liked was this line: “This may require implementing commonly used methods, developing a new method, or integrating techniques from other fields to answer our problem.” I really like the idea that integrating and applying standard methods in new and creative ways can be viewed as a statistical contribution.
This document discusses several key points about ethics in science:
1. Science can be used for both beneficial and harmful purposes, as scientific discoveries and inventions can be applied in either way. Examples given include medical advances but also weapons development.
2. Scientists have a responsibility to consider the ethical implications and potential misuses of their work. However, determining ethical limits is complex as values differ between individuals and societies.
3. While science itself is amoral, human decisions about its application and oversight are not. There is an ongoing debate around whether and how to regulate certain areas of science to prevent harm while allowing progress. Overall ethical judgment requires balancing benefits, risks, and individual rights.
Richard horton Offl ine: What is medicine’s 5 sigma?Anochi.com.
This document summarizes a symposium discussion on reproducibility and reliability issues in biomedical research. The key points are:
1) There is a widespread perception that much of the scientific literature may be untrue due to problems like small sample sizes, questionable research practices, and conflicts of interest.
2) Journals, universities, and research culture also contribute by incentivizing quantity over quality, impact factors, and "sexy" findings over important confirmations.
3) Proposed solutions discussed fixing incentives to reward reliability over productivity, preregistration, collaboration over competition, and adopting standards from fields like particle physics where the bar for a "significant" result is much higher.
4)
AAAS Annual Meeting 2018: Top Line Public Opinion Results from Science and En...John C. Besley
Talk given at 2018 AAAS meeting in Austin outlining key results from SEI 2018. Opinions are my own (for full report, see: https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/2018/nsb20181/report/sections/science-and-technology-public-attitudes-and-understanding/highlights)
SPOTLIGHT ON SCIENCE: PROMISING FUTURES FOR SCIENTIFIC AND CLINICAL RESEARCH ...Kelly Services
Scientists and clinical research professionals are in high demand due to strong projected growth in key industries. The demand for science professionals is 40% higher than other professions and science occupations are predicted to grow by 13% over the next decade, adding over 135,000 new jobs. This growth is driven by increasing global populations, healthcare needs, and demand for innovative solutions. Cities like Boston, San Francisco, and areas focused on natural resources like Houston and Dallas will see the most job opportunities. Mid-career scientists are well-positioned to take advantage of opportunities by gaining additional skills in areas like regulatory compliance, management, and data analytics.
This article discusses the search for evidence of supersymmetry at CERN's Large Hadron Collider. While the discovery of the Higgs boson was a success, scientists have yet to find any signs of supersymmetric particles as predicted by the theory. The LHC will restart early next year with high stakes - either find evidence supporting supersymmetry or face a potential crisis in physics if the theory is not validated. The article explores how the failure to find supersymmetry so far has challenged physicists and the models they have developed to extend the Standard Model of particle physics.
This document summarizes the results of a survey comparing the opinions of the Irish general public and Irish scientists on various science-related issues. The survey found both similarities and differences in their views. While both groups saw science as having a positive impact, scientists had stronger views on issues like climate change being human-caused and evolution occurring through natural selection. There were also differences in awareness levels, with scientists being more knowledgeable about Irish scientific achievements and better able to name Irish scientists. Overall, the survey aimed to uncover any gaps in perceptions between these groups.
The presentation provides an overview of science, discussing what science is, the scientific method, major branches of science, and the relationship between science and technology. It covers topics such as advantages and disadvantages of science technology, important scientific discoveries, the future of science, and the importance of science education. In conclusion, the presentation emphasizes that science is an endlessly fascinating subject that transforms our understanding of the world through exploration and pushing the boundaries of knowledge.
Varanasi is a metropolis city on the Ganges river in the Bhojpur-Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh, India. Considered to be a holy city; that has a central place in the traditions of pilgrimage, death, and mourning in the Hindu world. Located in the middle-Ganges valley in the southeastern part of the state
Social media and public health misinformation
The document discusses how social media acts as a platform for spreading information, beliefs, and behaviors. It summarizes research showing:
1) Anti-vaccine videos are more prevalent and easier to access than pro-vaccine videos on YouTube. Videos with more dislikes are more likely to be pro-vaccine.
2) The YouTube recommendation network makes anti-vaccine views more accessible over time.
3) Hostility online may reinforce distinct "in-groups" and "out-groups" rather than change views, highlighting the need for respectful discussion.
The document advocates using social influence through consensus building and anonymous discussion to counter health misinformation online.
How advances in Exponential Technology are enabling entrepreneurs to do in Healthcare what was once only possible by government and large corporations.
This document discusses climate change misconceptions and skeptics. It defines key terms like misconception and skeptic. It notes that while skeptics consider all evidence before making conclusions, climate change deniers reject the evidence that climate change is occurring. The document advises educating oneself through trusted sources like Yale and Pew research centers. It suggests understanding what information and sources deniers rely on. When questioned about climate change, stay calm and note that over 97% of scientists agree human activity is the primary cause of current warming trends based on multiple independent lines of evidence.
The media plays a major role in influencing public interest and knowledge of science. Journalists often lack specialized training in science and have difficulty communicating accurately with scientists, resulting in poor scientific coverage that does not reflect the views of actual scientists. A survey of teenagers found that while they are exposed to more scientific content online, their trust in the scientific method was lacking, showing the significant impact media portrayal can have on public perceptions of science. While television and newspapers are important ways to communicate implications of science to the public, coverage does not always provide an objective view and tends to oversimplify issues.
The document summarizes several scientific conferences attended by the author. The first conference discussed DNA damage sensing and repair in cancer progression, potential new drugs for cancer, and tips for graduate students. The second conference focused on using synthetic biology and metabolic engineering to sustainably produce hydrocarbons from biomass as an alternative fuel. The third conference taught evolution and biology of sex in an engaging way by addressing students' questions. Attending these conferences helped the author learn about different fields and universities, practice English, and consider future opportunities in science.
The document summarizes several scientific conferences attended by the author. The first conference discussed DNA damage sensing and repair in cancer progression, potential new drugs for cancer, and tips for graduate students. The second conference focused on using synthetic biology and metabolic engineering to sustainably produce hydrocarbons from biomass as an alternative fuel. The third conference taught evolution and biology of sex in an engaging way by addressing students' questions. Attending these conferences helped the author learn about different fields and universities, practice English, and consider future opportunities in science.
The document summarizes several scientific conferences attended by the author. The first conference discussed DNA damage sensing and repair in cancer progression, potential new drugs for cancer, and tips for graduate students. The second conference focused on using synthetic biology and metabolic engineering to sustainably produce hydrocarbons from biomass as an alternative fuel. The third conference taught evolution and biology of sex in an engaging way by addressing students' questions. Attending these conferences helped the author learn about different fields and universities, practice English, and consider future opportunities in science.
The document discusses a study on public awareness and knowledge of electronic waste (e-waste) and its environmental impacts. A survey of 56 adults found that most disposed of electronics by recycling or storing them, showing some awareness. However, many lacked knowledge of local e-waste recycling sites. While half had prior e-waste knowledge, educating participants increased the percentage who would change disposal methods to be more environmentally friendly. Thus, greater public education may help address the growing e-waste problem.
The document summarizes five key facts about the recovery of US shale oil production:
1) Rig counts have increased by 90% since bottoming out in May 2016 and are up 30% year-over-year, signaling increased drilling and production capacity.
2) While decline rates remain steep, production profiles have increased substantially due to technological advances, meaning aggregate supply will be stronger.
3) Preliminary data shows that net new shale supply turned positive in December 2016 for the first time since March 2015, recovering just 7 months after rig counts increased.
4) Increased drilling activity is supported by a large stock of drilled but uncompleted wells, demonstrating the recovery and expansion of the shale sector.
5)
Quarterly legislative action update: Marcellus and Utica shale region (4Q16)Marcellus Drilling News
A quarterly update from the legal beagles at global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright. A quarterly legislative action update for the second quarter of 2016 looking at previously laws acted upon, and new laws introduced, affecting the oil and gas industry in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.
More Related Content
Similar to Pew Research Poll: Public’s Knowledge of Science and Technology
However important improved public understanding of science might be, it is only part of the picture of how society reacts to new developments in science and technology, especially when controversy breaks out. Extensive research supports strong roles for values, beliefs and trust, arguably stronger factors in many cases than the role of science literacy by itself.
ScienceOnline2011 Web2.Owned Social Media SurveyMary Canady
The survey collected responses from 339 participants about their use of social media for science communication. Most (70%) respondents had science-related jobs. The survey found that Twitter was the primary way participants learned about the survey (65%) and the social media platform seen as providing the best science information (65%). Respondents highly rated their interest in science (average 6.58/7) and social networking (5.36/7) for keeping up with science. The most rewarding aspects of science and social media were found to be accessing new information and connecting with people, while information overload and lack of time were the most frustrating challenges.
This document summarizes a talk given by Jane Lubchenco at the 1997 AAAS annual meeting about how the scientific community needs to adapt to meet new environmental challenges. It discusses four key points: 1) How the world is changing due to human impacts like population growth and resource use; 2) The implications of these global changes for society; 3) The role science must play in addressing challenges created by a changing world; and 4) How scientists should respond to these challenges by reexamining priorities and redirecting efforts towards more sustainable solutions. The author calls on scientists to define a new social contract to devote their skills and research towards the most pressing problems of the day in exchange for public funding.
Sherri Rose wrote a fascinating article about statistician’s role in big data. One thing I really liked was this line: “This may require implementing commonly used methods, developing a new method, or integrating techniques from other fields to answer our problem.” I really like the idea that integrating and applying standard methods in new and creative ways can be viewed as a statistical contribution.
This document discusses several key points about ethics in science:
1. Science can be used for both beneficial and harmful purposes, as scientific discoveries and inventions can be applied in either way. Examples given include medical advances but also weapons development.
2. Scientists have a responsibility to consider the ethical implications and potential misuses of their work. However, determining ethical limits is complex as values differ between individuals and societies.
3. While science itself is amoral, human decisions about its application and oversight are not. There is an ongoing debate around whether and how to regulate certain areas of science to prevent harm while allowing progress. Overall ethical judgment requires balancing benefits, risks, and individual rights.
Richard horton Offl ine: What is medicine’s 5 sigma?Anochi.com.
This document summarizes a symposium discussion on reproducibility and reliability issues in biomedical research. The key points are:
1) There is a widespread perception that much of the scientific literature may be untrue due to problems like small sample sizes, questionable research practices, and conflicts of interest.
2) Journals, universities, and research culture also contribute by incentivizing quantity over quality, impact factors, and "sexy" findings over important confirmations.
3) Proposed solutions discussed fixing incentives to reward reliability over productivity, preregistration, collaboration over competition, and adopting standards from fields like particle physics where the bar for a "significant" result is much higher.
4)
AAAS Annual Meeting 2018: Top Line Public Opinion Results from Science and En...John C. Besley
Talk given at 2018 AAAS meeting in Austin outlining key results from SEI 2018. Opinions are my own (for full report, see: https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/2018/nsb20181/report/sections/science-and-technology-public-attitudes-and-understanding/highlights)
SPOTLIGHT ON SCIENCE: PROMISING FUTURES FOR SCIENTIFIC AND CLINICAL RESEARCH ...Kelly Services
Scientists and clinical research professionals are in high demand due to strong projected growth in key industries. The demand for science professionals is 40% higher than other professions and science occupations are predicted to grow by 13% over the next decade, adding over 135,000 new jobs. This growth is driven by increasing global populations, healthcare needs, and demand for innovative solutions. Cities like Boston, San Francisco, and areas focused on natural resources like Houston and Dallas will see the most job opportunities. Mid-career scientists are well-positioned to take advantage of opportunities by gaining additional skills in areas like regulatory compliance, management, and data analytics.
This article discusses the search for evidence of supersymmetry at CERN's Large Hadron Collider. While the discovery of the Higgs boson was a success, scientists have yet to find any signs of supersymmetric particles as predicted by the theory. The LHC will restart early next year with high stakes - either find evidence supporting supersymmetry or face a potential crisis in physics if the theory is not validated. The article explores how the failure to find supersymmetry so far has challenged physicists and the models they have developed to extend the Standard Model of particle physics.
This document summarizes the results of a survey comparing the opinions of the Irish general public and Irish scientists on various science-related issues. The survey found both similarities and differences in their views. While both groups saw science as having a positive impact, scientists had stronger views on issues like climate change being human-caused and evolution occurring through natural selection. There were also differences in awareness levels, with scientists being more knowledgeable about Irish scientific achievements and better able to name Irish scientists. Overall, the survey aimed to uncover any gaps in perceptions between these groups.
The presentation provides an overview of science, discussing what science is, the scientific method, major branches of science, and the relationship between science and technology. It covers topics such as advantages and disadvantages of science technology, important scientific discoveries, the future of science, and the importance of science education. In conclusion, the presentation emphasizes that science is an endlessly fascinating subject that transforms our understanding of the world through exploration and pushing the boundaries of knowledge.
Varanasi is a metropolis city on the Ganges river in the Bhojpur-Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh, India. Considered to be a holy city; that has a central place in the traditions of pilgrimage, death, and mourning in the Hindu world. Located in the middle-Ganges valley in the southeastern part of the state
Social media and public health misinformation
The document discusses how social media acts as a platform for spreading information, beliefs, and behaviors. It summarizes research showing:
1) Anti-vaccine videos are more prevalent and easier to access than pro-vaccine videos on YouTube. Videos with more dislikes are more likely to be pro-vaccine.
2) The YouTube recommendation network makes anti-vaccine views more accessible over time.
3) Hostility online may reinforce distinct "in-groups" and "out-groups" rather than change views, highlighting the need for respectful discussion.
The document advocates using social influence through consensus building and anonymous discussion to counter health misinformation online.
How advances in Exponential Technology are enabling entrepreneurs to do in Healthcare what was once only possible by government and large corporations.
This document discusses climate change misconceptions and skeptics. It defines key terms like misconception and skeptic. It notes that while skeptics consider all evidence before making conclusions, climate change deniers reject the evidence that climate change is occurring. The document advises educating oneself through trusted sources like Yale and Pew research centers. It suggests understanding what information and sources deniers rely on. When questioned about climate change, stay calm and note that over 97% of scientists agree human activity is the primary cause of current warming trends based on multiple independent lines of evidence.
The media plays a major role in influencing public interest and knowledge of science. Journalists often lack specialized training in science and have difficulty communicating accurately with scientists, resulting in poor scientific coverage that does not reflect the views of actual scientists. A survey of teenagers found that while they are exposed to more scientific content online, their trust in the scientific method was lacking, showing the significant impact media portrayal can have on public perceptions of science. While television and newspapers are important ways to communicate implications of science to the public, coverage does not always provide an objective view and tends to oversimplify issues.
The document summarizes several scientific conferences attended by the author. The first conference discussed DNA damage sensing and repair in cancer progression, potential new drugs for cancer, and tips for graduate students. The second conference focused on using synthetic biology and metabolic engineering to sustainably produce hydrocarbons from biomass as an alternative fuel. The third conference taught evolution and biology of sex in an engaging way by addressing students' questions. Attending these conferences helped the author learn about different fields and universities, practice English, and consider future opportunities in science.
The document summarizes several scientific conferences attended by the author. The first conference discussed DNA damage sensing and repair in cancer progression, potential new drugs for cancer, and tips for graduate students. The second conference focused on using synthetic biology and metabolic engineering to sustainably produce hydrocarbons from biomass as an alternative fuel. The third conference taught evolution and biology of sex in an engaging way by addressing students' questions. Attending these conferences helped the author learn about different fields and universities, practice English, and consider future opportunities in science.
The document summarizes several scientific conferences attended by the author. The first conference discussed DNA damage sensing and repair in cancer progression, potential new drugs for cancer, and tips for graduate students. The second conference focused on using synthetic biology and metabolic engineering to sustainably produce hydrocarbons from biomass as an alternative fuel. The third conference taught evolution and biology of sex in an engaging way by addressing students' questions. Attending these conferences helped the author learn about different fields and universities, practice English, and consider future opportunities in science.
The document discusses a study on public awareness and knowledge of electronic waste (e-waste) and its environmental impacts. A survey of 56 adults found that most disposed of electronics by recycling or storing them, showing some awareness. However, many lacked knowledge of local e-waste recycling sites. While half had prior e-waste knowledge, educating participants increased the percentage who would change disposal methods to be more environmentally friendly. Thus, greater public education may help address the growing e-waste problem.
Similar to Pew Research Poll: Public’s Knowledge of Science and Technology (20)
The document summarizes five key facts about the recovery of US shale oil production:
1) Rig counts have increased by 90% since bottoming out in May 2016 and are up 30% year-over-year, signaling increased drilling and production capacity.
2) While decline rates remain steep, production profiles have increased substantially due to technological advances, meaning aggregate supply will be stronger.
3) Preliminary data shows that net new shale supply turned positive in December 2016 for the first time since March 2015, recovering just 7 months after rig counts increased.
4) Increased drilling activity is supported by a large stock of drilled but uncompleted wells, demonstrating the recovery and expansion of the shale sector.
5)
Quarterly legislative action update: Marcellus and Utica shale region (4Q16)Marcellus Drilling News
A quarterly update from the legal beagles at global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright. A quarterly legislative action update for the second quarter of 2016 looking at previously laws acted upon, and new laws introduced, affecting the oil and gas industry in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.
An update from Spectra Energy on their proposed $3 billion project to connect four existing pipeline systems to flow more Marcellus/Utica gas to New England. In short, Spectra has put the project on pause until mid-2017 while it attempts to get new customers signed.
A letter from Rover Pipeline to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requesting the agency issue the final certificate that will allow Rover to begin tree-clearing and construction of the 511-mile pipeline through Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and Michigan. If the certificate is delayed beyond the end of 2016, it will delay the project an extra year due to tree-clearing restrictions (to accommodate federally-protected bats).
DOE Order Granting Elba Island LNG Right to Export to Non-FTA CountriesMarcellus Drilling News
An order issued by the U.S. Dept. of Energy that allows the Elba Island LNG export facility to export LNG to countries with no free trade agreement with the U.S. Countries like Japan and India have no FTA with our country (i.e. friendly countries)--so this is good news indeed. Although the facility would have operated by sending LNG to FTA countries, this order opens the market much wider.
A study released in December 2016 by the London School of Economics, titled "On the Comparative Advantage of U.S. Manufacturing: Evidence from the Shale Gas Revolution." While America has enough shale gas to export plenty of it, exporting it is not as economic as exporting oil due to the elaborate processes to liquefy and regassify natural gas--therefore a lot of the gas stays right here at home, making the U.S. one of (if not the) cheapest places on the planet to establish manufacturing plants, especially for manufacturers that use natural gas and NGLs (natural gas liquids). Therefore, manufacturing, especially in the petrochemical sector, is ramping back up in the U.S. For every two jobs created by fracking, another one job is created in the manufacturing sector.
Letter From 24 States Asking Trump & Congress to Withdraw the Unlawful Clean ...Marcellus Drilling News
A letter from the attorneys general from 24 of the states opposed to the Obama Clean Power Plan to President-Elect Trump, RINO Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel and RINO House Speaker Paul Ryan. The letter asks Trump to dump the CPP on Day One when he takes office, and asks Congress to adopt legislation to prevent the EPA from such an egregious overreach ever again.
Report: New U.S. Power Costs: by County, with Environmental ExternalitiesMarcellus Drilling News
Natural gas and wind are the lowest-cost technology options for new electricity generation across much of the U.S. when cost, public health impacts and environmental effects are considered. So says this new research paper released by The University of Texas at Austin. Researchers assessed multiple generation technologies including coal, natural gas, solar, wind and nuclear. Their findings are depicted in a series of maps illustrating the cost of each generation technology on a county-by-county basis throughout the U.S.
Annual report issued by the U.S. Energy Information Administration showing oil and natural gas proved reserves, in this case for 2015. These reports are issued almost a year after the period for which they report. This report shows proved reserves for natural gas dropped by 64.5 trillion cubic feet (Tcf), or 16.6%. U.S. crude oil and lease condensate proved reserves also decreased--from 39.9 billion barrels to 35.2 billion barrels (down 11.8%) in 2015. Proved reserves are calculated on a number of factors, including price.
The document is a report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration analyzing oil and gas production from seven regions in the U.S. It includes charts and tables showing historical and projected production levels of oil and gas from each region from 2008 to 2017, as well as metrics like the average production per rig. The regions - Bakken, Eagle Ford, Haynesville, Marcellus, Niobrara, Permian, and Utica - accounted for 92% of domestic oil production growth and all domestic natural gas production growth from 2011-2014.
Velocys is the manufacturer of gas-to-liquids (GTL) plants that convert natural gas (a hyrdocarbon) into other hydrocarbons, like diesel fuel, gasoline, and even waxes. This PowerPoint presentation lays out the Velocys plan to get the company growing. GTL plants have not (so far) taken off in the U.S. Velocys hopes to change that. They specialize in small GTL plants.
PA DEP Revised Permit for Natural Gas Compression Stations, Processing Plants...Marcellus Drilling News
In January 2016, Gov. Wolf announced the DEP would revise its current general permit (GP-5) to update the permitting requirements for sources at natural gas compression, processing, and transmission facilities. This is the revised GP-5.
PA DEP Permit for Unconventional NatGas Well Site Operations and Remote Piggi...Marcellus Drilling News
In January 2016, PA Gov. Wolf announced the Dept. of Environmental Protection would develop a general permit for sources at new or modified unconventional well sites and remote pigging stations (GP-5A). This is the proposed permit.
Onerous new regulations for the Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale industry proposed by the state Dept. of Environmental Protection. The new regs will, according to the DEP, help PA reduce so-called fugitive methane emissions and some types of air pollution (VOCs). This is liberal Gov. Tom Wolf's way of addressing mythical man-made global warming.
The monthly Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) from the U.S. Energy Information Administration for December 2016. This issue makes a couple of key points re natural gas: (1) EIA predicts that natural gas production in the U.S. for 2016 will see a healthy decline over 2015 levels--1.3 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) less in 2016. That's the first annual production decline since 2005! (2) The EIA predicts the average price for natural gas at the benchmark Henry Hub will climb from $2.49/Mcf (thousand cubic feet) in 2016 to a whopping $3.27/Mcf in 2017. Why the jump? Growing domestic natural gas consumption, along with higher pipeline exports to Mexico and liquefied natural gas exports.
This document provides an overview of the natural gas market in the Northeast United States, including New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. It details statistics on gas customers, consumption, infrastructure like pipelines and storage, and production. A key point is that the development of the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania has significantly increased domestic gas production in the region and reduced its reliance on other supply basins and imports.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission responded to each point raised in a draft copy of the PA Auditor General's audit of how Act 13 impact fee money, raised from Marcellus Shale drillers, gets spent by local municipalities. The PUC says it's not their job to monitor how the money gets spent, only in how much is raised and distributed.
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Act 13/Impact Fees Audit by PA Auditor...Marcellus Drilling News
A biased look at how 60% of impact fees raised from PA's shale drilling are spent, by the anti-drilling PA Auditor General. He chose to ignore an audit of 40% of the impact fees, which go to Harrisburg and disappear into the black hole of Harrisburg spending. The Auditor General claims, without basis in fact, that up to 24% of the funds are spent on items not allowed under the Act 13 law.
The final report from the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection that finds, after several years of testing, no elevated levels of radiation from acid mine drainage coming from the Clyde Mine, flowing into Ten Mile Creek. Radical anti-drillers tried to smear the Marcellus industry with false claims of illegal wastewater dumping into the mine, with further claims of elevated radiation levels in the creek. After years of testing, the DEP found those allegations to be false.
FERC Order Denying Stay of Kinder Morgan's Broad Run Expansion ProjectMarcellus Drilling News
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission denied a request to stay the authorization of Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company's Broad Run Expansion Project. The Commission found that the intervenors requesting the stay did not demonstrate they would suffer irreparable harm if the project proceeded. Specifically, the Commission determined that the environmental impacts to forest and a nearby animal rehabilitation center would be insignificant. Additionally, conditioning authorization on future permits did not improperly encroach on state authority. Therefore, justice did not require granting a stay.
Youngest c m in India- Pema Khandu BiographyVoterMood
Pema Khandu, born on August 21, 1979, is an Indian politician and the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh. He is the son of former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Dorjee Khandu. Pema Khandu assumed office as the Chief Minister in July 2016, making him one of the youngest Chief Ministers in India at that time.
The Biggest Threat to Western Civilization _ Andy Blumenthal _ The Blogs.pdfAndy (Avraham) Blumenthal
Article in The Times of Israel by Andy Blumenthal: China and Russia are commonly considered the biggest military threats to Western civilization, but I believe that is incorrect. The biggest strategic threat is a terrorist Jihadi Caliphate.
El Puerto de Algeciras continúa un año más como el más eficiente del continente europeo y vuelve a situarse en el “top ten” mundial, según el informe The Container Port Performance Index 2023 (CPPI), elaborado por el Banco Mundial y la consultora S&P Global.
El informe CPPI utiliza dos enfoques metodológicos diferentes para calcular la clasificación del índice: uno administrativo o técnico y otro estadístico, basado en análisis factorial (FA). Según los autores, esta dualidad pretende asegurar una clasificación que refleje con precisión el rendimiento real del puerto, a la vez que sea estadísticamente sólida. En esta edición del informe CPPI 2023, se han empleado los mismos enfoques metodológicos y se ha aplicado un método de agregación de clasificaciones para combinar los resultados de ambos enfoques y obtener una clasificación agregada.
Here is Gabe Whitley's response to my defamation lawsuit for him calling me a rapist and perjurer in court documents.
You have to read it to believe it, but after you read it, you won't believe it. And I included eight examples of defamatory statements/
Acolyte Episodes review (TV series) The Acolyte. Learn about the influence of the program on the Star Wars world, as well as new characters and story twists.
Essential Tools for Modern PR Business .pptxPragencyuk
Discover the essential tools and strategies for modern PR business success. Learn how to craft compelling news releases, leverage press release sites and news wires, stay updated with PR news, and integrate effective PR practices to enhance your brand's visibility and credibility. Elevate your PR efforts with our comprehensive guide.
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This downloadable guide explains why press releases are still important for businesses today and the challenges you might face with traditional distribution methods. Learn how [Your Website Name] offers a comprehensive solution for crafting compelling press releases, targeting the right media outlets, and maximizing visibility.
Your Go-To Press Release Newswire for Maximum Visibility and Impact.pdf
Pew Research Poll: Public’s Knowledge of Science and Technology
1. April 22, 2013
Public’s Knowledge of Science and
Technology
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER FOR THE
PEOPLE & THE PRESS
Michael Dimock
Director
Carroll Doherty
Associate Director
Scott Keeter
Director of Survey Research
1615 L St, N.W., Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel (202) 419-4350
Fax (202) 419-4399
www.people-press.org
Take the Latest Quiz Online!
Before you read the report, we invite you to test your own science and technology IQ by
taking the latest interactive knowledge quiz now available on the Pew Research Center
website. The short quiz includes many of the questions that were included in a national poll.
Participants will instantly learn how they did on the quiz in comparison with the general
public as well as with people like them. To take the latest quiz, click on this link:
http://www.pewresearch.org/quiz/science-knowledge/
2. 83
77
65
58
51
78
77
75
66
66
48
47
20
% correct
Sunscreen protects from what radiation? Ultraviolet
What is the main function of red blood cells? Carry oxygen
The continents have been moving over
millions of years and will continue to move.
Major concern about overuse of antibiotics? Resistant bacteria
Better way to test a new drug's effectiveness? Control group
All radioactivity is man-made. False
Which is an example of chemical reaction? Nails rusting
Nanotechnology deals with? Small things
Gas believed to cause rising temperatures? Carbon dioxide
Resource extracted in "fracking"? Natural gas
Lasers work by focusing sound waves. False
Electrons are smaller than atoms. True
What gas makes up most of atmosphere? Nitrogen
Science in the news/daily life
Textbook science
True
Public’s Knowledge of Science and Technology
The public’s knowledge of science and technology varies widely across a range of
questions on current topics and basic scientific concepts, according to a new quiz by the
Pew Research Center and Smithsonian magazine. [Click here to take the quiz yourself
before reviewing the answers.]
About eight-in-ten
Americans (83%) identify
ultraviolet as the type of
radiation that sunscreen
protects against. Nearly as
many (77%) know that the
main concern about the
overuse of antibiotics is that
it can lead to antibiotic-
resistant bacteria.
However, only about half
(51%) of the public knows
that “fracking” is a process
that extracts natural gas, not
coal, diamonds or silicon
from the earth.
Similarly, knowledge of basic
scientific concepts differs
greatly across questions.
While most Americans (78%)
know that the basic function
of red blood cells is to carry
oxygen to all parts of the
body, just 20% could identify
nitrogen as the gas that
makes up most of the
atmosphere.
Knowledge of Science and Technology
PEW RESEARCH CENTER/SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE March 7-10, 2013.
Percent correct on 13 multiple-choice and true/false questions.
3. 2
www.people-press.org
44%
The
bottom
35%
The
middle
7%
The top
13%
DK
46%
Too hard
22%
Not useful
for careers
20%
Too boring
12%
Other/
DK
30%
19%
11%
10%
6%
4%
Math
English
Science
History/
Soc. Studies
Art/Music
Computers
The quiz is part of a nationwide survey, conducted March 7-10 among 1,006 adults,
which also probed opinions and perceptions about science and
math in education. The survey was conducted with
Smithsonian magazine for an edition focusing on STEM
(science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education
(see “How Much Do Americans Know about Science?”).
The public underestimates how well American high school
students perform on standardized science tests compared with
students in other developed nations. A plurality (44%) believes
that 15-year-olds in other developed nations outrank U.S.
students in knowledge of science; according to an international
student assessment, U.S. 15-year-olds are in the middle ranks
of developed nations in science knowledge.
Nearly half of Americans (46%) say that the main reason that
many young people do not pursue degrees in math and science
is mostly because they think these subjects are too hard; just
22% say it is mostly because young people think math and
science are not useful for their careers while 20% say it is
because they think these subjects are too boring. Women (54%)
are more likely than men (37%) to say that the main reason
young people do not pursue math and science degrees is
because they think these subjects are too difficult.
The survey asked an open-ended question about what one
subject K-12 schools should emphasize more these days; 30%
of respondents say math; 19% say English, grammar or writing,
while 11% say science; and 10% say history, social studies or
government. Overall, 45% mention some aspect of science,
technology, engineering or mathematics.
American Views on
Science & Math
Education
What one subject should K-12
schools emphasize more than
they do now?
(top six open ended answers)
On standardized science tests,
how do U.S. 15-year-olds rank
compared with those in other
developed nations?
What’s the main reason many
young people don’t pursue
degrees in math and science?
PEW RESEARCH CENTER/
SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE
March 7-10, 2013. Figures in pie
charts may not add to 100% because
of rounding.
4. 3
www.people-press.org
About the Quiz: Chemical Reactions, Control Groups and CO2
The new survey includes a mix of 13 knowledge questions;
some are the type that might be found in a science textbook
while others come from news coverage of science and
technology issues.
Among the textbook-type questions, the quiz asks which is a
chemical reaction – water boiling, sugar dissolving or nails
rusting. Two-thirds (66%) correctly say that nails rusting is an
example of a chemical reaction; much smaller percentages
incorrectly say that water boiling (12%) and sugar dissolving
(also 12%) are examples of chemical reactions.
The survey also asks about basic scientific knowledge in a
series of true-false questions. Most Americans (77%) correctly
say it is true that the continents have been moving for millions
of years and will continue to move in the future. But only about
half (47%) say it is true that electrons are
smaller than atoms. The percentages
answering these and other true-false questions
correctly are little changed from a June 2009
survey.
Other questions test knowledge of scientific
methods and current scientific issues. Most
Americans know that scientists use control
groups to test the effectiveness of new drugs in
treating disease. Three-quarters (75%)
correctly say that scientists give a new drug to
half of a group of volunteers, but not to the
other half, and compare how many in each
group get better. Just 19% say it would be
more effective to give the drug to the entire
group.
Textbook Science
Which is an example of
a chemical reaction?
Mar
7-10
%
Nails rusting 66
Water boiling 12
Sugar dissolving 12
Don’t know 10
100
Electrons are smaller
than atoms …
True 47
False 27
Don’t know 25
100
PEW RESEARCH CENTER/
SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE
March 7-10, 2013. Figures may not
add to 100% because of rounding.
Most Know Control Groups Are
Used for Testing Drugs
Better way to determine effectiveness of
new drug in treating a disease on a group of
1,000 volunteers with the disease?
Mar
7-10
%
Give the drug to half, but not the other
half, and compare how many in each
group get better 75
Give the drug to all of them and see how
many get better 19
Don’t know 6
100
What gas do most scientists believe causes
atmospheric temperatures to rise?
Carbon dioxide 58
Hydrogen 10
Helium 8
Radon 7
Don’t know 16
100
PEW RESEARCH CENTER/SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE
March 7-10, 2013. Figures may not add to 100% because of
rounding.
5. 4
www.people-press.org
Demographic Differences in Knowledge about Science & Technology
Education is the strongest
demographic predictor of
knowledge about science and
technology. People with at least
some exposure to college do
much better than those with no
college experience on nearly all
of the questions.
On several questions, there also
are wide differences between
college graduates and those
who have attended college but
not graduated. For instance,
76% of college graduates but
just 55% of those with some
college experience identify
carbon dioxide as the gas that
most scientists believe causes
atmospheric temperatures to
rise.
There are only modest partisan
differences in knowledge about
which gas is generally seen by scientists as causing atmospheric temperatures to rise;
63% of independents say it is carbon dioxide, as do 58% of Republicans and 56% of
Democrats.
Notably, even most college graduates could not identify the gas that makes up most of
the earth’s atmosphere. Just 31% correctly say it is nitrogen, while an identical
percentage (31%) incorrectly says it is oxygen. Among those with a high school education
or less, oxygen is the most frequent response.
Wide Educational Differences in Knowledge
% who answered each correctly
HS or
less
Some
coll
Coll
grad+
Coll-
HS
diff
% % % %
Nanotechnology deals with? (Small things) 46 72 84 +38
Major concern about overuse of antibiotics?
(Resistant bacteria) 58 85 95 +37
All radioactivity is man-made. (False) 54 69 82 +28
Which is an example of a chemical reaction?
(Nails rusting) 54 68 81 +27
Gas believed to cause rising temperatures?
(Carbon dioxide) 49 55 76 +27
Resource extracted in fracking? (Natural gas) 39 53 66 +27
Electrons are smaller than atoms. (True) 34 54 59 +25
What is the main function of red blood cells?
(Carry oxygen) 66 86 89 +23
Lasers work by focusing sound waves. (False) 35 56 58 +23
Sunscreen protects from what radiation?
(Ultraviolet) 72 91 91 +19
Better way to test effectiveness of new drug?
(Control group) 67 76 86 +19
What gas makes up most of earth’s
atmosphere? (Nitrogen) 12 22 31 +19
Continents have been moving for millions of
years and will continue to move. (True) 68 83 85 +17
Average number correct overall 6.5 8.7 9.8 +3.3
PEW RESEARCH CENTER/SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE March 7-10, 2013.
6. 5
www.people-press.org
In previous Pew Research
Center surveys measuring
knowledge of politics and
public affairs, young people
typically have not fared as
well as older people. But that
pattern does not hold for
most questions about
scientific topics. As a group,
those younger than 30 do
about as well as those in the
30-49 and 50-64 age groups.
Meanwhile, people 65 and
older scored relatively low on
many questions. Just 37%
know that nanotechnology
deals with small things;
majorities in younger age
groups know this. And just
27% correctly answered a
question about how lasers
work, compared with about
half in older age groups.
However, half (50%) of those 65 and older identify natural gas as the resource extracted
in fracking, compared with 61% of those 50-64, 52% of those 30-49 and just 35% of those
under 30. This was the only question on which those 65 and older scored higher than
those younger than 30.
Older People Less Aware of Nanotechnology;
Fewer Young People Know about Fracking
% who answered each correctly
18-
29
30-
49
50-
64 65+
% % % %
Nanotechnology deals with? (Small things) 76 71 63 37
What is the main function of red blood cells?
(Carry oxygen) 86 75 84 63
Electrons are smaller than atoms. (True) 56 50 44 33
Lasers work by focusing sound waves. (False) 50 53 50 27
Continents have been moving for millions of
years and will continue to move. (True) 87 77 77 66
Sunscreen protects from what radiation?
(Ultraviolet) 88 86 82 71
Better way to test effectiveness of new drug?
(Control group) 76 75 80 62
All radioactivity is man-made. (False) 68 66 71 56
What gas makes up most of earth’s
atmosphere? (Nitrogen) 25 22 18 14
Gas believed to cause rising temperatures?
(Carbon dioxide) 59 64 56 48
Which is an example of a chemical reaction?
(Nails rusting) 66 66 68 58
Major concern about overuse of antibiotics?
(Resistant bacteria) 68 84 80 68
Resource extracted in fracking? (Natural gas) 35 52 61 50
Average number of correct answers 8.4 8.4 8.4 6.5
PEW RESEARCH CENTER/SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE March 7-10, 2013.
7. 6
www.people-press.org
Overall, men outperformed
women on the quiz, though in
many cases the differences are
modest. On average, men
answered 8.6 items correctly,
compared with 7.7 items for
women.
On the health-related
questions on the quiz,
however, women did as well as
or better than men. Women
are more likely than men to
know that a major concern of
the overuse of antibiotics is
that it can lead to antibiotic-
resistant bacteria (81% of
women know this vs. 72% of
men).
Gender Differences in Knowledge
% who answered each correctly
Men Women
M-W
diff
% % %
Lasers work by focusing sound waves. (False) 57 38 +19
Gas believed to cause rising temperatures?
(Carbon dioxide) 66 51 +15
Resource extracted in fracking? (Natural gas) 58 45 +13
What gas makes up most of earth’s
atmosphere? (Nitrogen) 27 14 +13
Continents have been moving for millions of
years and will continue to move. (True) 83 72 +11
Electrons are smaller than atoms.(True) 54 41 +13
All radioactivity is man-made (False) 70 63 +7
Nanotechnology deals with? (Small things) 68 62 +6
Sunscreen protects from what radiation?
(Ultraviolet) 85 81 +4
What is the main function of red blood cells?
(Carry oxygen) 79 77 +2
Which is an example of a chemical reaction?
(Nails rusting) 67 65 +2
Better way to test effectiveness of new drug?
(Control group) 72 78 -6
Major concern about overuse of antibiotics?
(Resistant bacteria) 72 81 -9
Average number correct overall 8.6 7.7 +0.9
PEW RESEARCH CENTER/SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE March 7-10, 2013.
8. 7
www.people-press.org
What Subject Should Receive More Emphasis in K-12 Schools?
Asked in an open-ended format what one
subject being taught in K-12 schools should
receive greater emphasis than it does now,
30% volunteer math and arithmetic. About
one-in-five (19%) say English, grammar,
writing and reading should receive more
emphasis, while about one-in-ten cite science
(11%) or history (10%).
Republicans (35%) are more likely than
Democrats (24%) to say that math and
arithmetic should be emphasized more by
schools. More Republicans (13%) than
Democrats (5%) also say that history, social
studies and civics should get greater attention.
By contrast, while 17% of Democrats say that
science should receive greater emphasis in K-
12 schools, just 7% of Republicans agree.
Comparable percentages of Republicans and Democrats say other subjects – including
English and grammar, art and music, and religion and Christianity – deserve more
emphasis than they are currently receiving.
Partisan Differences over Subjects
That Deserve Greater Emphasis
What one subject should
K-12 schools emphasize
more than they do now?
Total Rep Dem Ind
% % % %
Math/Arithmetic 30 35 24 32
English/Grammar/Reading 19 23 21 17
Science 11 7 17 10
History/Social studies 10 13 5 14
Art/Music 6 4 6 8
Computers 4 5 4 4
Physical ed/Health/Sex ed 2 1 3 2
Religion/Christianity/Bible 2 2 2 1
Economics/Finances 2 2 2 1
Foreign languages 1 1 1 1
Manners/Respect 1 1 * 1
Other 3 3 3 4
Don’t know/No answer 7 5 10 6
PEW RESEARCH CENTER/SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE
March 7-10, 2013. Open-ended responses. Figures may not
add to 100% because of rounding.
9. 8
www.people-press.org
Many Say U.S. Students Are Outranked in Science
A plurality of Americans (44%) say that
average American 15-year-olds rank at the
bottom on standardized tests of science
knowledge, when compared with students in
other developed nations. That is incorrect:
According to the most recent available data
from the Program for International Student
Assessment, U.S. students rank among the
middle of OECD nations.
The survey finds that 35% correctly know that
U.S. 15-year-olds are about in the middle
when it comes to science knowledge; 7% say
incorrectly that American students rank
among the top of developed nations.
College graduates are more likely than those
with less education to underestimate the
performance of U.S. teens on standardized science tests. More than half of college
graduates (56%) say that American students rank near the bottom among developed
countries. That compares with 46% of those with some college experience who do not
have a degree and 36% of those with no more than a high school education.
There are no significant partisan differences in evaluations of student performance on
standardized science tests: 46% of Republicans and about as many Democrats (45%) and
independents (45%) say they rank near the bottom among developed nations.
Where Do American Students
Rank in Science?
Compared with
students in other
developed nations,
Americans rank at…
Top Middle Bottom DK
% % % %
Total 7 35 44 13=100
Men 6 37 43 14=100
Women 8 33 45 13=100
18-29 11 36 37 16=100
30-49 7 31 48 14=100
50-64 6 35 47 13=100
65+ 5 41 43 10=100
College grad+ 3 35 56 6=100
Some college 9 33 46 12=100
HS or less 9 36 36 19=100
PEW RESEARCH CENTER/SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE
March 7-10, 2013. Figures may not add to 100% because of
rounding.
10. 9
www.people-press.org
When asked why many young people do not
pursue degrees in math and science, a 46%
plurality says it is mostly because they view
these subjects as too difficult. Fewer say
young people are turned off because they see
math and science as not useful for their
careers (22%) or because they are too boring
(20%).
Young people have about the same opinions
as older people for why many do not pursue
math and science degrees: 47% say it is
because those subjects are seen as too
difficult. More women (54%) than men (37%)
say many young people do not go after
degrees in math and science mainly because
they perceive those subjects as being too
difficult.
Many See Difficulty of Math,
Science as Main Stumbling Block
Main reason
many young
people don’t
pursue math and
science degrees?
Too
hard
Too
boring
Not
useful
Other/
DK
% % % %
Total 46 20 22 12=100
Men 37 25 26 13=100
Women 54 17 19 11=100
18-29 47 23 22 7=100
30-49 46 18 24 11=100
50-64 43 23 22 13=100
65+ 45 18 24 13=100
College grad+ 52 17 18 14=100
Some college 45 20 27 8=100
HS or less 42 24 21 13=100
PEW RESEARCH CENTER/SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE
March 7-10, 2013. Figures may not add to 100% because of
rounding.
12. 11
www.people-press.org
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
March 7-10, 2013 OMNIBUS
FINAL TOPLINE
N=1,006
PEW.1 PREVIOUSLY RELEASED
ASK ALL:
PEW.2 Thinking about what's being taught in kindergarten-through-12th
-grade schools these days, what
ONE subject should schools emphasize more than they do now? [OPEN END. ACCEPT ONLY ONE
RESPONSE. USE PRECODED LIST IF RESPONSE CLEARLY FITS. OTHERWISE RECORD
VERBATIM RESPONSE. PROBE FOR CLARITY – DO NOT PROBE FOR ADDITIONAL
MENTIONS.]
March 7-10
2013
30 Math/Mathematics/Arithmetic
19 English/Grammar/Writing/Reading
11 Science
10 History/Social studies/Civics/Politics/Current events/Government
6 Art/Arts/Music
4 Computers/Computer science
2 Physical education/Health/Sex education/Abstinence
2 Religion/Christianity/Bible/Prayer/Creationism
2 Economics/Finances
1 Foreign languages
1 Manner/Respect/Anti-bullying
3 Other
7 Don’t know/No answer
45 (NET) STEM subjects
ASK ALL:
PEW.3 What's the main reason many young people don't pursue degrees in math and science? Is it mostly
because they think these subjects … [READ AND RANDOMIZE]
March 7-10
2013
46 Are too hard
20 Are too boring
22 Are not useful for their careers
7 Other (VOL.)
4 Don’t know/Refused (VOL.)
PEW.4-PEW.5 PREVIOUSLY RELEASED
NO QUESTION PEW.6
ASK ALL:
Here are some questions about things you might have learned in school or seen in the news
PEW.7 For each statement that I read, please tell me if it is true or false. If you don’t know, just tell me so,
and we will skip to the next question. First, [INSERT FIRST ITEM, RANDOMIZE]…is that true or
false? Next, [INSERT ITEM, RANDOMIZE] [IF NECESSARY: Is that true or false?]
(VOL.)
True False DK/Ref
a. All radioactivity is man-made
March 7-10, 2013 22 66 12
June 18-21, 2009 21 63 16
TREND FOR COMPARISON:
General Social Survey, 2012 18 70 12
General Social Survey, 2010 20 67 13
13. 12
www.people-press.org
PEW.7 CONTINUED… (VOL.)
True False DK/Ref
b. Electrons are smaller than atoms
General Social Survey, 2008 18 70 12
General Social Survey, 2006 14 70 17
March 7-10, 2013 47 27 25
June 18-21, 2009 46 24 30
TREND FOR COMPARISON:
General Social Survey, 2012 53 20 27
General Social Survey, 2010 51 20 29
General Social Survey, 2008 52 23 25
General Social Survey, 2006 53 19 28
c. Lasers work by focusing sound waves
March 7-10, 2013 19 48 34
June 18-21, 2009 22 47 31
TREND FOR COMPARISON:
General Social Survey, 2012 24 45 31
General Social Survey, 2010 19 48 33
General Social Survey, 2008 24 48 28
General Social Survey, 2006 17 45 38
d. The continents on which we live have been moving
their location for millions of years and will continue
to move in the future
March 7-10, 2013 77 10 13
June 18-21, 2009 76 10 13
TREND FOR COMPARISON:
General Social Survey, 2012 81 7 12
General Social Survey, 2010 79 9 12
General Social Survey, 2008 77 10 13
General Social Survey, 2006 79 8 13
Correct answers for each trend in bold
ASK ALL:
PEW.8 Which one of the following types of solar radiation does sunscreen protect the skin from? [READ
AND RANDOMIZE]
March 7-10
2013
3 X-rays
5 Infrared
83 Ultraviolet (Correct)
2 Microwaves
8 Don’t know/Refused (VOL.)
ASK ALL:
PEW.9 Does nanotechnology deal with things that are extremely [READ AND RANDOMIZE]
March 7-10
2013
65 Small (Correct)
3 Large
2 Cold
4 Hot
26 Don’t know/Refused (VOL.)
14. 13
www.people-press.org
ASK ALL:
PEW.10 Which gas makes up most of the Earth's atmosphere? [READ AND RANDOMIZE]
March 7-10
2013
14 Hydrogen
20 Nitrogen (Correct)
19 Carbon dioxide
36 Oxygen
11 Don’t know/Refused (VOL.)
ASK ALL:
PEW.11 What is the main function of red blood cells? Is it… [READ AND RANDOMIZE]
March 7-10
2013
9 To fight disease in the body
78 To carry oxygen to all parts of the body (Correct)
6 To help the blood to clot
7 Don’t know/Refused (VOL.)
ASK ALL:
PEW.12 Which of these is a major concern about the overuse of antibiotics? [READ AND RANDOMIZE]
March 7-10
2013
77 It can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria (Correct)
6 Antibiotics are very expensive
10 People will become addicted to antibiotics
7 Don’t know/Refused (VOL.)
ASK ALL:
PEW.13 Which is an example of a chemical reaction? [READ AND RANDOMIZE]
March 7-10
2013
12 Water boiling
12 Sugar dissolving
66 Nails rusting (Correct)
10 Don’t know/Refused (VOL.)
ASK ALL:
PEW.14 Which is the better way to determine whether a new drug is effective in treating a disease? If a
scientist has a group of 1,000 volunteers with the disease to study, should she [READ AND
RANDOMIZE]
March 7-10
2013
19 Give the drug to all of them and see how many get better
Give the drug to half of them but not to the other half, and compare how many in each
75 group get better (Correct)
6 Don’t know/Refused (VOL.)
15. 14
www.people-press.org
ASK ALL:
PEW.15 What gas do most scientists believe causes temperatures in the atmosphere to rise? Is it
[RANDOMIZE AND READ]?
March 7-10 June 18-21 April 28-May 12
2013 2009 2009
58 Carbon dioxide (Correct) 65 66
10 Hydrogen 7 7
8 Helium 4 4
7 Radon 5 6
16 Don’t know/Refused (VOL.) 20 17
ASK ALL:
PEW.16 Which natural resource is extracted in a process known as “fracking”? Is it [READ AND
RANDOMIZE]?
March 7-10
2013
51 Natural gas (Correct)
12 Coal
5 Diamonds
4 Silicon
28 Don’t know/Refused (VOL.)
ASK ALL:
PEW.17 On standardized tests of science knowledge, do average American 15 year olds rank at [READ IN
REVERSE ORDER FOR HALF THE SAMPLE: the top, the middle, or the bottom] compared with 15
year olds in other developed nations?
March 7-10
2013
7 Top
35 Middle (Correct)
44 Bottom
13 Don’t know/Refused (VOL.)