The Value of Science and Mathematics

In the United States today, science and math classes are looked upon in a less than favorable light. In the early grades, kids that are interested in math and science are looked upon as "geeky" or "nerdy." These negative connotations are further emphasized by television shows that depict aforementioned students as small, puny, and forever picked on by the bullies. While these shows may seem harmless, a subtle prejudice is formed against these fields of study. Hard statistics back up this assertion. I don't know the exact numbers, but the percentage of college graduates with degrees in math or the sciences has been falling since around the '80s. Math and Science are no longer considered "cool" as they were during the '50s and '60s at the height of the space race. These days, more and more degrees in math or science are going to foreigners. However, there has been no better time to get into the math or science fields. Technological advancements in chemistry, biology, physics, and math have made these fields explode with demand. Starting salaries in these fields are fairly high as well; however, many of these positions are filled with people of Indian or East Asian decent. Many see these fields as too difficult to comprehend. For example, organic chemistry is often considered a "filter" course in college; a course designed to filter out the weaker and lazier students. And while this is an exceedingly difficult course, some think of it as impossible, just as some people thought putting a man on the moon was impossible. Americans need to wake up and realize that the only difference between them and the Asians that consistently beat them in average test scores and college attendance percentages is diligence and work ethic. History has proven that Americans can overcome the largest obstacles when we strive together and put our noses to the proverbial grindstone. Some consequences from a shift from American to foreign scientists and mathematicians will be that more and more companies will move their businesses to these foreign countries to take advantage of the high labor supply. Another consequence will be a lagging behind in technological advancement in the U.S. compared to other countries. These problems can be averted with a few actions both from the top and the bottom. At the top, President-elect Barack Obama can introduce legislation to increase funding for math and science departments in the K-12 public school system. Another piece of legislation that could be introduced, could be to give incentives to college graduates with math or science degrees. Some actions at the bottom would be to instill, at an early age in a child's life, a love for learning and reading. Some kid's shows are already doing this, like Dora the Explorer. Much work remains to be done, however, if we are to reverse the current trends, if we are to remain the as the world leader in military power, political power, and technolical power. But it is work that is by no means impossible; it is work that can be accomplished with American will power and work ethic remeniscent of World War II, just one of the many lessons, this current generation can learn from the Greatest Generation.