At the AAAS meeting yesterday, scientists learned that Americans aren't quite the dunces they think they are when it comes to science literacy.
In fact, middle-aged Americans are quite a bit smarter about science than back in 1983, according to surveys, apparently because many have taken college-level science classes and because there's more scientific information available through the Internet and other sources.
Unlike those in other countries, almost all American college students have to take a full year of science even if they're majoring in a non-science field, said Jon Miller, a Michigan State professor and speciliast in science literacy.
"It is the thing that makes us competitive in the world," Miller told a packed room.
But he's not as happy about high-school education: "If we had to rely on our track record in high school, we'd really be in trouble."
But another researcher disagreed. Look for more on that in a future post.
