swimandciv
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Do people think that American students would score higher in science and be more interested in going into technical fields if NASA was actually trying to get to Mars?
Space Exploration and Science Success?
- Thread starter swimandciv
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Why do you think these things would be related?
Because an extensive NASA mission would create jobs for science students? I don't think there's a shortage in that particular field.
Because it would inspire people to pursue a scientific career? I'm not convinced, those who are fascinated by the scientific aspect of spaceflight are probably into science already anyway.
And that's just for the motivation aspect. The increased motivation would also need to lead to better grades, which doesn't have to be the case.
Because an extensive NASA mission would create jobs for science students? I don't think there's a shortage in that particular field.
Because it would inspire people to pursue a scientific career? I'm not convinced, those who are fascinated by the scientific aspect of spaceflight are probably into science already anyway.
And that's just for the motivation aspect. The increased motivation would also need to lead to better grades, which doesn't have to be the case.
swimandciv
Warlord
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I was thinking that it could inspire students to pursue science or engineering because they are drawn to the dream of being a man on Mars or designing a rocket to get people there.
BvBPL
Pour Decision Maker
The common discourse about science test scores in schools focuses principally on low and average performing students. On average, the US ranks low relative to other democracies. However, when you examine the top 25 and 10 percentiles you see that US states rank at the top.
The fact is that not every citizen needs to have a deep understanding of science, but the US students that do focus on students are superior to similar students in other other countries.
Just a comment.
The fact is that not every citizen needs to have a deep understanding of science, but the US students that do focus on students are superior to similar students in other other countries.
Just a comment.
History_Buff
Deity
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As long it's not a one short deal (we'll put 6 missions onto Mars, then stop), then yes.
innonimatu
the resident Cassandra
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European here, but I suspect that people there and here are more motivated in their choice of careers by actual costs and career prospects (tuition, wages, and so on) than by unlikely dreams. And I expect that the way basic education is delivered will also be more influential than any such dreams.
I'm kind of sad that for all our dependance on technology so much (seemingly ever more) is sold and used as "black boxes", with people generally discouraged from fiddling with it. But that's in part a consequence of more complex technology, and I don't see easy ways to counter that.
I'm kind of sad that for all our dependance on technology so much (seemingly ever more) is sold and used as "black boxes", with people generally discouraged from fiddling with it. But that's in part a consequence of more complex technology, and I don't see easy ways to counter that.
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