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Test your general science knowledge! (Original Post) MoonRiver Aug 2013 OP
I got 11 out of the 13 darkangel218 Aug 2013 #1
Got them all... Javaman Aug 2013 #2
agree to both statements.. Volaris Aug 2013 #84
ditto dipsydoodle Aug 2013 #105
there's an easy one. PowerToThePeople Aug 2013 #3
13 of 13... I had to guess on the blood cell question though Ohio Joe Aug 2013 #4
BRAINS! Puzzledtraveller Aug 2013 #5
12 of 13 bowens43 Aug 2013 #6
same here! MoonRiver Aug 2013 #17
Me too! n/t fredamae Aug 2013 #56
Same here. smirkymonkey Aug 2013 #133
12 out of 13. Feeling smug . . . . no_hypocrisy Aug 2013 #7
Chiming in with my 12/13 peeps lark Aug 2013 #75
I expected it to be harder... hlthe2b Aug 2013 #8
This CSMONTOR test is high school level and better Ichingcarpenter Aug 2013 #9
God damn, that was a tough one NuclearDem Aug 2013 #33
dang. PowerToThePeople Aug 2013 #42
That's a fun one - would have walloped my behind if it hadn't petronius Aug 2013 #57
Missed one on that one 48/50 longship Aug 2013 #69
I got a 46 and taught HS science years ago Ichingcarpenter Aug 2013 #78
Whole lotta guessin' going on but 92% truebluegreen Aug 2013 #82
damn 14 wrong, and I didn't cheat=). Volaris Aug 2013 #94
That was more challenging Warpy Aug 2013 #96
I only managed 38 on that one :( dickthegrouch Aug 2013 #107
47/50 sakabatou Aug 2013 #108
That WAS tough DiverDave Aug 2013 #122
The second test is similar to what Ichingcarpenter Aug 2013 #126
I saw that too DiverDave Aug 2013 #130
i did horrible on there JI7 Aug 2013 #131
45/50 Warren DeMontague Aug 2013 #146
This isn't entirely a test of scientific knowledge--it's also a test of knowing Greek eridani Aug 2013 #149
I nailed the astronomy, biology, and geology questions. Vashta Nerada Aug 2013 #154
I enjoyed taking that one and missed a couple. This 13 question test was pretty sixth grade. NYC_SKP Aug 2013 #155
11 of 13 correct. wild bird Aug 2013 #10
12 of 13 War Horse Aug 2013 #11
That's the one I missed too. MoonRiver Aug 2013 #18
That's why so many people pay extra to have their tires filled with nitrogen too bhikkhu Aug 2013 #26
Now that's funny. n/t whopis01 Aug 2013 #116
Yup, that was.. DiverDave Aug 2013 #123
If it was Hydrogen, the first spark would be "The Sky Is Burning" hobbit709 Aug 2013 #31
I know, I know. Makes it even worse :) War Horse Aug 2013 #61
And then there would be a Hydrogen and water vapor atmosphere... yawnmaster Aug 2013 #137
I missed that one, too, even though I know better. Fantastic Anarchist Aug 2013 #68
Yup Madam Mossfern Aug 2013 #148
13 of 13 truebluegreen Aug 2013 #12
But, given the results graph, apparently most people don't know that stuff. Eek! Squinch Aug 2013 #14
Even worse, they know the wrong thing FarCenter Aug 2013 #24
The breakdown on that one was really surprising to me - a far lower petronius Aug 2013 #50
Yup, pretty scary. truebluegreen Aug 2013 #83
13/13 NuclearDem Aug 2013 #13
And that is sad. RC Aug 2013 #35
13/13...And boy we need better science education in this country. (nt) jeff47 Aug 2013 #15
13 of the first 13, but missed on my sex and age. Scuba Aug 2013 #16
... MoonRiver Aug 2013 #20
I always screw up the easy ones. Scuba Aug 2013 #22
13 out of 13 Aerows Aug 2013 #19
I got them all too. Plucketeer Aug 2013 #85
13/13 bhikkhu Aug 2013 #21
13 / 13 Junkdrawer Aug 2013 #23
For the 7 percenters. R. Daneel Olivaw Aug 2013 #28
stupidly easy. getting them all right is no test of scientific literacy cali Aug 2013 #48
Perhaps you are smarter than you believe, Cali. R. Daneel Olivaw Aug 2013 #60
That's awfully kind of you to say, Daneel, but cali Aug 2013 #73
12 out of 13 Generic Other Aug 2013 #25
13 for 13. R. Daneel Olivaw Aug 2013 #27
13/13 tk2kewl Aug 2013 #29
13-13 hobbit709 Aug 2013 #30
12/13 - screwed up the one about the most abundant gas. n/t RKP5637 Aug 2013 #32
Same here. --nt CrispyQ Aug 2013 #37
13/13 RC Aug 2013 #34
I'm not sure I could have passed that test in grade school, Art_from_Ark Aug 2013 #134
You answered 13 of 13 questions correctly. DainBramaged Aug 2013 #36
13/13 Capt. Obvious Aug 2013 #38
11 of 13 heaven05 Aug 2013 #39
13/13 LeftishBrit Aug 2013 #40
Medalist! AngryAmish Aug 2013 #41
I missed 3. Neoma Aug 2013 #43
You answered 13 of 13 questions correctly. warrior1 Aug 2013 #44
that was just ridiculously easy. 13 out of 13 and I am NO science whiz cali Aug 2013 #45
Seriously. The only question I had to even think about was am I male or female? OffWithTheirHeads Aug 2013 #97
13 out of 13 Octafish Aug 2013 #46
I knew all the answers...13 right! Sancho Aug 2013 #47
13 out of 13 Katashi_itto Aug 2013 #49
I got the "nitrogen" question wrong when I was in Jr. High... tridim Aug 2013 #51
12 out of 13 Jeroen Aug 2013 #52
Got them all (go me!) enlightenment Aug 2013 #53
This theist scored better on the science test (100%) demwing Aug 2013 #54
11/13 treestar Aug 2013 #55
13 for 13 Boom Sound 416 Aug 2013 #58
13 out of 13 ismnotwasm Aug 2013 #59
13 out of 13 Gothmog Aug 2013 #62
This test is fairly easy. Archae Aug 2013 #63
12 of 13. Got the "Which is an example of a chemical reaction?" question wrong. amb123 Aug 2013 #64
I got 12 of 13 BillE Aug 2013 #65
12 of 13 - I said Oxygen instead of Nitrogen ... Fantastic Anarchist Aug 2013 #66
13/13 Cali_Democrat Aug 2013 #67
13 of 13, straight up.... mike_c Aug 2013 #70
Meh! You call this a knowledge "test?!?!" RoccoR5955 Aug 2013 #71
No it's not just you. I'm no student of science and I found it cali Aug 2013 #77
When you see what others got... Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2013 #81
Aced it. Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2013 #72
The purpose of the test was not to measure scientific knowledge, but to provide ammo jtuck004 Aug 2013 #74
While I share your sentiments regarding our need to be aware of how we are being manipulated, Maedhros Aug 2013 #91
That thing flying over your head was the point. Thank goodness it missed you. jtuck004 Aug 2013 #100
Fair enough - I agree with you on most all of your points. Maedhros Aug 2013 #113
Not me, baby. It's the people with the money. jtuck004 Aug 2013 #120
They did the same thing to natural science programs. Maedhros Aug 2013 #127
That's true to an extent, but a decrease in funding is very different from closed, gone, jtuck004 Aug 2013 #129
I agree with you that they are pushing bad education strategies meant to keep us from thinking Maedhros Aug 2013 #132
Hammer, meet nail. RoccoR5955 Aug 2013 #136
Do you remember, or have you ever seen, the movie "Real Genius"? jtuck004 Aug 2013 #140
Here are results of an interesting recent study: Maedhros Aug 2013 #156
A nit to pick: Maedhros Aug 2013 #76
Can answers 1 and 2 become the original chemistry after the change? Boom Sound 416 Aug 2013 #86
All chemical reactions are reversible under the right circumstances. Maedhros Aug 2013 #88
What about burning paper? Boom Sound 416 Aug 2013 #89
In a closed system it is no different. Maedhros Aug 2013 #92
Great answer Boom Sound 416 Aug 2013 #102
I should provide a caveat: Maedhros Aug 2013 #110
13 of 13 madokie Aug 2013 #79
13/13 MrNJ Aug 2013 #80
13 Hassin Bin Sober Aug 2013 #87
Yeah, I'm a nerd. 13/13 Warpy Aug 2013 #90
Got 'em all right. Enthusiast Aug 2013 #93
This, MoonRiver Aug 2013 #112
You win bragging rights on DU Art_from_Ark Aug 2013 #141
Okay! Enthusiast Aug 2013 #144
13/13. valerief Aug 2013 #95
13/13 bluedeathray Aug 2013 #98
13 out of 13 here blackspade Aug 2013 #99
13 of 13. And, I find science mostly boring. Tierra_y_Libertad Aug 2013 #101
I got them all right and I am 65 and a High School grad. n/t doc03 Aug 2013 #103
13/13 sakabatou Aug 2013 #104
An interesting and somewhat comforting breakdown of the results. GoCubsGo Aug 2013 #106
13 of 13. knr nt livingwagenow Aug 2013 #109
All correct. Blue_In_AK Aug 2013 #111
Missed one Go Vols Aug 2013 #114
I made that mistake not too long ago on another test, Blue_In_AK Aug 2013 #143
Like most such tests, this one was far too easy. MineralMan Aug 2013 #115
13 of 13 Xyzse Aug 2013 #117
This was a fairly easy test. 13/13 NT sdfernando Aug 2013 #118
You answered 13 of 13 questions correctly. La Lioness Priyanka Aug 2013 #119
13 for 13 DiverDave Aug 2013 #121
You answered 13 of 13 questions correctly. ohheckyeah Aug 2013 #124
13 out of 13. Problems is freethought Aug 2013 #125
12 out 13, which means our country is in deep doo-doo, because if I scored Zorra Aug 2013 #128
13/13 applegrove Aug 2013 #135
0 out of 13 n-t Logical Aug 2013 #138
There's no excuse for not getting 13/13. Vashta Nerada Aug 2013 #139
13/13... WillyT Aug 2013 #142
13/13 Warren DeMontague Aug 2013 #145
I missed one! Rhiannon12866 Aug 2013 #147
What a poorly worded test! nuxvomica Aug 2013 #150
I'm in the top 7% Turbineguy Aug 2013 #151
13 out of 13 SteveG Aug 2013 #152
Thanks to my yesphan Aug 2013 #153

Ohio Joe

(21,753 posts)
4. 13 of 13... I had to guess on the blood cell question though
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 10:28 AM
Aug 2013

I had no idea on that one but got it anyway

no_hypocrisy

(46,083 posts)
7. 12 out of 13. Feeling smug . . . .
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 10:33 AM
Aug 2013

BTW, how can only 59% of college grads NOT KNOW that electrons are smaller than atoms since the electrons are components of the atoms?

lark

(23,094 posts)
75. Chiming in with my 12/13 peeps
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 12:56 PM
Aug 2013

We may not be brilliant, but we are smarter than the average bear.

hlthe2b

(102,228 posts)
8. I expected it to be harder...
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 10:35 AM
Aug 2013

13/13

But, personally reassuring in a small way, though not when it comes to the general public's results...

 

PowerToThePeople

(9,610 posts)
42. dang.
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 11:39 AM
Aug 2013

Noscript caused it to mess up. I think I got 44/50. But on 3 of them i second guessed myself and ended up wrong. =) That was certainly a tougher test. The biology ones got me more than any.

longship

(40,416 posts)
69. Missed one on that one 48/50
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 12:47 PM
Aug 2013

I changed my answer on the one about the tool making era from right to wrong. Damn!

And miscalculated the acceleration... Too much in a hurry.

Ichingcarpenter

(36,988 posts)
78. I got a 46 and taught HS science years ago
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 12:58 PM
Aug 2013

but that was special ed. class....LOL

Its a pretty good test.in my opinion for a on line one.

Ichingcarpenter

(36,988 posts)
126. The second test is similar to what
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 05:00 PM
Aug 2013

a High school student should know

I did well because almost all the topics
we covered .........when I co/taught science as a special ed teacher back in the 90s.

I really had to think about the possible answers before I answered.

I still try to keep up on the latest science news which might have helped.

Yeah.... I thought the test was tough
but good.

The other test I thought was at a sixth grade level this is around a ninth
or higher level


I did laugh at the creationist number on the age of the universe for a possible answer.



Warren DeMontague

(80,708 posts)
146. 45/50
Tue Aug 27, 2013, 05:48 AM
Aug 2013

I'm a space nerd, so those questions were a breeze. But I slept through a lot of chemistry classes, I think.

eridani

(51,907 posts)
149. This isn't entirely a test of scientific knowledge--it's also a test of knowing Greek
Tue Aug 27, 2013, 06:39 AM
Aug 2013

--and Latin. Lots of hints from their descriptions of where words originated that had nothing to do with scientific knowledge. I would have scored lower than 43/50 without that help. Physics and astronomy are weak points for me.

 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
155. I enjoyed taking that one and missed a couple. This 13 question test was pretty sixth grade.
Tue Aug 27, 2013, 11:02 AM
Aug 2013

Most sixth graders should know most or all of the answers.

Sadly, many aren't instructed well enough and/or don't have families or social lives that promote such forms of knowledge.

But ask them what Snooki's boyfriend's name is and....

bhikkhu

(10,715 posts)
26. That's why so many people pay extra to have their tires filled with nitrogen too
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 11:16 AM
Aug 2013

When people come to our shop and ask if we use nitrogen to fill the tires, I tell them "we use our own proprietary 78% nitrogen mixture"

hobbit709

(41,694 posts)
31. If it was Hydrogen, the first spark would be "The Sky Is Burning"
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 11:24 AM
Aug 2013

Hydrogen is flammable in any mix of air from 3-97%

yawnmaster

(2,812 posts)
137. And then there would be a Hydrogen and water vapor atmosphere...
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 09:26 PM
Aug 2013

The burning sky would only last as long as the oxygen lasts in the atmosphere.

Fantastic Anarchist

(7,309 posts)
68. I missed that one, too, even though I know better.
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 12:46 PM
Aug 2013

I second guessed myself on it. Screwed myself out of a perfect score.

Madam Mossfern

(2,340 posts)
148. Yup
Tue Aug 27, 2013, 06:18 AM
Aug 2013

I got that wrong too. Somehow I thought that Nitrogen was poisonous. I'm pissed that I didn't get them all right; it was a super easy test. I answered Hydrogen too because of the water thingy.

 

FarCenter

(19,429 posts)
24. Even worse, they know the wrong thing
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 11:13 AM
Aug 2013

Only 12% of HS grads got the right answer to "Which gas makes up most of the Earth’s atmosphere?".

Which means that they have learned that some other gas than the right one is the most plentiful, since 12% is way below random chance.

They are misinformed, not ignorant.

petronius

(26,602 posts)
50. The breakdown on that one was really surprising to me - a far lower
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 11:51 AM
Aug 2013

proportion of correct answers than any other question. I actually teach a class where that's a topic; I'll try to remember to do a quick survey this quarter to see what the incoming students really think/know...

 

RC

(25,592 posts)
35. And that is sad.
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 11:33 AM
Aug 2013

I learned most of that stuff in grade school - In Kansas yet. In the 1950's.

 

Plucketeer

(12,882 posts)
85. I got them all too.
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 01:08 PM
Aug 2013

And like you, I thought they were pretty tame questions - and I'm a high school dropout!

 

cali

(114,904 posts)
48. stupidly easy. getting them all right is no test of scientific literacy
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 11:45 AM
Aug 2013

Much as I'd like to say that I'm well versed in the sciences, I can't make that claim.

 

cali

(114,904 posts)
73. That's awfully kind of you to say, Daneel, but
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 12:54 PM
Aug 2013

I know the limits of my knowledge. Much as I like to try to keep up, my scientific knowledge is limited.

 

RC

(25,592 posts)
34. 13/13
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 11:31 AM
Aug 2013

Once upon a time a grade schooler could pass that test. Now - Many adults can not. But then, I went to school at a time they still taught science as facts and not theory from religious text.

Art_from_Ark

(27,247 posts)
134. I'm not sure I could have passed that test in grade school,
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 08:26 PM
Aug 2013

back in the '60s, as my elementary school's only attempt to teach rudimentary science was Health and Hygiene in 4th grade. My first experience with an actual science class was 7th grade biology, which was taught on a 10th grade level, and which focused on learning scientific names for genera, kingdoms, and phyla.

DainBramaged

(39,191 posts)
36. You answered 13 of 13 questions correctly.
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 11:34 AM
Aug 2013

You scored better than 93% of the public and the same as 7%.

i'M A 7 PERCENTer i'M A 7 PERCENTer LALALALALALALA


tridim

(45,358 posts)
51. I got the "nitrogen" question wrong when I was in Jr. High...
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 12:00 PM
Aug 2013

and felt like shit about it, so I always remember now.

At least it appears to be a common mistake. It tripped up 80% of the respondents.

enlightenment

(8,830 posts)
53. Got them all (go me!)
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 12:06 PM
Aug 2013

Had to think about the atmosphere question for a bit, but most were easy. As a non-science person, I pat myself on the back (and prepare to trip over my temporarily inflated ego).

 

demwing

(16,916 posts)
54. This theist scored better on the science test (100%)
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 12:08 PM
Aug 2013

than the average atheist scored on the religion test you posted earlier.

What's that mean? Not a god damned thing!

Archae

(46,322 posts)
63. This test is fairly easy.
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 12:36 PM
Aug 2013

I got them all correct, but the statistic that only a tiny minority could also, is kind of depressing.

BillE

(137 posts)
65. I got 12 of 13
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 12:41 PM
Aug 2013

Seems that those who missed one, it was the atmosphere question. I missed that one. Test was easy.

Fantastic Anarchist

(7,309 posts)
66. 12 of 13 - I said Oxygen instead of Nitrogen ...
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 12:43 PM
Aug 2013

... which I really should have gotten right but had a damn brain fart. I over thought it.

All in all, these were extremely easy questions. I hope this is not what would be a litmus test for this nation.

mike_c

(36,281 posts)
70. 13 of 13, straight up....
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 12:48 PM
Aug 2013

Of course, I'm a scientist and a zoology prof, so I'd be pretty embarrassed if I couldn't answer those questions. Interestingly, I thought the fracking question was more current affairs than science knowledge.

 

RoccoR5955

(12,471 posts)
71. Meh! You call this a knowledge "test?!?!"
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 12:49 PM
Aug 2013

I could have gotten all correct in my freakin' sleep.
This is so superficial, it's not funny.
What IS funny is the small number of people that know what most of our atmosphere consists of.

Then again, maybe it's me. I have been a student of all sorts of science since I was knee-high to a grasshopper!

 

cali

(114,904 posts)
77. No it's not just you. I'm no student of science and I found it
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 12:56 PM
Aug 2013

laughably easy. I'm also surprised that so few people know what our atmosphere is made up of.

 

jtuck004

(15,882 posts)
74. The purpose of the test was not to measure scientific knowledge, but to provide ammo
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 12:55 PM
Aug 2013

for those that want to move us away from a more liberal education into Science, Technology, Engineering, Math curriculums, or STEM.

Most people that keep up with current events and watch Dr. Oz should have been able to get 10 or 11 of 13 right on that one. But the point was not that most people could learn the answer to the question that most people got right from a bottle of sunscreen. In other words, the point is not that it was "easy" or "hard".

The point is that it was designed to provide support for those who want to sell us on STEM training, so they can market the idea that we need to focus government money away from people thinking about how people may be manipulating them, away from questions that might lead them to think they are just working on a plantation, away from philosophy and the arts, and put it where it SHOULD go, where BILL GATES wants it to go, toward SCIENCY stuff.

We should do better in science, but we should also wonder why most people either don't know these things, whether it is really the educational system, or perhaps a culture that says adults can quit learning once they are "free" from "school".

I find it damn funny, in a non-funny sort of way, when propaganda is so obvious, and yet most everyone is consumed by how many right or wrong answers they got, as if they are still under the spell of the "schooling" they got, and have forgotten the promise that it should have been about education...

http://www.people-press.org/2013/04/22/publics-knowledge-of-science-and-technology/





 

Maedhros

(10,007 posts)
91. While I share your sentiments regarding our need to be aware of how we are being manipulated,
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 01:22 PM
Aug 2013

I do not agree with demonizing science education.

"Science" is not rote memorization of facts and processes. A proper science education teaches the scientific method, which promotes critical thinking. I think we can all agree that more critical thinking is a good thing.

 

jtuck004

(15,882 posts)
100. That thing flying over your head was the point. Thank goodness it missed you.
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 02:18 PM
Aug 2013

Philosophy promotes critical thinking. The arts promote critical thinking. Good science could, and sometimes does, but often times is narrowly constrained within the lab, and without the liberal studies people seem to find it hard to apply the lessons elsewhere.

Doctors are trained in science, no? Then why the hell did we have to pass a law to get them to reveal how much money they are being paid by big pharma, so we can know how it impacts the decisions they make to push pills on us, if the critical thinking they learned in science class was so helpful?

Why, since the science has shown us that, for many women, the damage from extra radiation may be more harmful than the likelihood that a breast exam will find something, are the people who PROFIT FROM breast exams continuing to push for more and more funding? Why are women who are being excessively irradiated on the off chance that something might be found somewhere not taking them to task for it, even when a few lose breasts or arms or legs because of mis-diagnosis or cells that suddenly go berserk because of the X-rays?

Science tells us that we are cooking our earth. Haven't seen that one keep a majority of people up nights. And it's not because they can't understand it, it's because they wilfully reject it - and no amount of science education is going to fix their motivation.

Nuclear studies involved a LOT of science, eh? Fukushima has been a screwed up earth and people-killing disaster for over 2 years now, and yet the people who are profiting from it continue their lies and deception, while scientifically trained nuclear engineers have died of cancer trying to work with it, despite all that GREAT science education.

You are correct. If life was like a fairy tale (the sanitized ones we hear now, not the originals) people would get a good science TRAINING, which would teach them to be sceptical, and they would measure and weigh and test and come to rational conclusion.

But it ain't and they don't. And science is not going to fix that failing of "EDUCATION", (which is, by the way, much different than training or schooling) nor are the bastards that are profiting from selling STEM to hapless people going to do anything out of the goodness of their cold, shrivelled hearts if it costs them a penny, regardless of the cost to others.

I'm not demonizing science. If I point out the shortcomings of the mechanic who tries to fix everything but only can own or afford one tool to do it with I'm not demonizing the mechanic, but the shortcomings of that approach when applied too broadly. That's just recognizing reality.

Science ain't the problem sister, (brother?), the people are. Or more specifically their human spirits are. And the way you reach the spirit, (not a religious thing, btw) is through art, music, dance, argument, discussion, and food. And probably beer. Not engineering.




 

Maedhros

(10,007 posts)
113. Fair enough - I agree with you on most all of your points.
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 03:45 PM
Aug 2013

But I dislike pitting science against liberal arts, which it seems you are doing.




 

jtuck004

(15,882 posts)
120. Not me, baby. It's the people with the money.
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 04:22 PM
Aug 2013

That's how I KNOW it's not me

It's a common story across the nation - they feel a funding pinch, so they up tuition, cut something out of the arts (they de-funded the ENTIRE theatre program at WSU - a college w/o theatre?) and then try an increase the number of wealthier students getting some aid because their parents can pick up much more of the cost that can those who have less money. There's a whole list nationwide, from grade school on up, where music, art, dance, and studies in the arts have just been slaughtered while being replaced with STEM curriculum, and they are trying to do even more. Ask most any teacher of art or music in public schools, or liberal arts in colleges, (Assuming the people still have a job) about it, and they will likely confirm that position.

Suffice it to say, there's only so many hours in a day, and the thought seems to be to get rid of things that might cause people to question the decisions others are making about their lives, in favor of classes that, in theory should cause them to be critical, but in reality make them more likely to be just employees, although making a little more than they can at McDonalds.

But the Rethugs are lovin' it, and some Democrats are leading the charge.



 

Maedhros

(10,007 posts)
127. They did the same thing to natural science programs.
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 05:03 PM
Aug 2013

Biochemistry, molecular biology, physics: those things get funding. Geology, geophysics, zoology, botany, etc. not so much. The funding goes to departments developing patents/technology for Corporate America.

It's not so much liberal arts v. science as it is profit for corporations v. education for people.

 

jtuck004

(15,882 posts)
129. That's true to an extent, but a decrease in funding is very different from closed, gone,
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 06:01 PM
Aug 2013

and dead. Because they still teach zoology for docs, geology, etc for oil and gas recovery.

But your assessment of the causes being more because of our masters, the corporations, and their need for profit at any cost, is spot on.

And that is exactly what the push for STEM is all about. Will those be the skills required for more jobs than now in 30 or 40 years. Almost without question, if we try to keep going forward as we have in past, for more growth, which creates wealth for the few.

On the other hand, maybe we need to be asking if there is another way to structure it, another way to live other than exploiting each other and the planet until one or both are destroyed, or we simply become a big round plantation, owned by a small few. We can probably still use those skills, even need them, but perhaps more for making life better for each other, maybe to encourage freedom and real Decmocracy, things that are slowly receding in the rear-view mirror as we push forward.

Asking those questions, or bringing them up so everyone can see the forest that is hidden by the trees, that's where those other classes come in. So I think it is worth people knowing that what is being pushed out upon them, like that test, has nothing to do with science, and everything to do with manipulation.
 

Maedhros

(10,007 posts)
132. I agree with you that they are pushing bad education strategies meant to keep us from thinking
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 07:00 PM
Aug 2013

for ourselves.

However the same problems you see with basic education in arts and humanities, I also see in the sciences. Scientific illiteracy is a big problem in this country - it allows for climate change denial and "clean coal" bullshit to be peddled as reasonable positions.

The correct answer to this problem is to make sure than our citizens receive a well-rounded and comprehensive education, including liberal arts, humanities, mathematics and science. I can't justify putting less of an emphasis on any of those.

 

RoccoR5955

(12,471 posts)
136. Hammer, meet nail.
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 09:16 PM
Aug 2013

You hammered that nail, quite elegantly!

I have been a student of science all of my life, but that's not all that I have studied all of my life. If it was not for a balanced education, one does not build the critical thinking skills needed to tell when science will harm or hurt us.
One needs to learn how to teach oneself, in matters of everything. If one is not willing to learn, and just learns to pass a test, then nothing is learned, except how to be a parrot.

 

jtuck004

(15,882 posts)
140. Do you remember, or have you ever seen, the movie "Real Genius"?
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 09:46 PM
Aug 2013

Lazlo, former student, lived in a tunnel under the dorms. Chris was explaining to Mitch what drove Lazlo crazy...

"He loved problems, he loved the answers. But he thought that the answers were the answers for everything. All science, no philosophy.
One day, someone told him the stuff he made was killing people."

That's what philosophy is for, to make you ask those questions about the ultimate ends of what you are doing, who you are. Dance, art - it grabs at the spirit, pokes it and makes sure it is alive. Without those things we jump out the windows of the Apple factory in China.

Oddly, those whose pursuit is almost totally venal often have the benefit of those things, yet, for some reason it seems never to awaken their humanity or cause them to question that pursuit. If we knew why maybe we could yank that light back on for them.

Fortunately that only happens to a relative few, and those things make life better for the rest of us. What I can't figure out is, given that there are so many more of us, why we let them pull us around.

But yeah, you are spot on with your parrot analogy. It took me a long time, it seems, to finally figure out I had to let schooling go before I could really learn.




 

Maedhros

(10,007 posts)
156. Here are results of an interesting recent study:
Wed Aug 28, 2013, 12:53 PM
Aug 2013
http://www.salon.com/2013/08/28/just_thinking_about_science_triggers_moral_behavior/

(And, I'm not arguing for diluting humanities and liberal arts education in favor of science. I am promoting the idea of holding both as equally important.)
 

Maedhros

(10,007 posts)
76. A nit to pick:
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 12:56 PM
Aug 2013

Question 10 asked "Which is an example of a chemical reaction?" Possible answers were:

A: Water Boiling
B: Sugar dissolving
C: Nails Rusting

Of course, the answer they are wanting is C. However, all three are examples of chemical reactions.

"Water Boiling" is a phase change reaction, with H2O(l) --> H2O(v)

"Sugar Dissolving" is a dissolution reaction, with C12H22O11(s) --> C12H22O11(aq)

"Nails Rusting" is an oxidation reaction, with 2Fe(s) + 1.5O2(v) --> Fe2O3(s)

 

Boom Sound 416

(4,185 posts)
86. Can answers 1 and 2 become the original chemistry after the change?
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 01:10 PM
Aug 2013

I think that's the distinguishing characteristic from answer 3

 

Maedhros

(10,007 posts)
88. All chemical reactions are reversible under the right circumstances.
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 01:16 PM
Aug 2013

Put rust in an extremely reducing environment and it will revert to iron.

But you are correct - examples 1 and 2 are single-component reactions, example 3 is multi-component.

 

Maedhros

(10,007 posts)
92. In a closed system it is no different.
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 01:28 PM
Aug 2013

C(s) + 0.5O2(v) <--> CO2(v) is the combustion reaction. A complicating factor from burning paper is that the product of the reaction (i.e. carbon dioxide vapor) is removed from the reaction location with the drifting smoke, therefore the reaction cannot be reversed. Also, burning paper in the lab occurs in a very oxidizing environment (i.e. the atmosphere); thermodynamics will drive the reaction toward production of carbon dioxide via LeChatelier's Principle.

Conduct the same reaction in a sealed vessel, and greatly reduce the oxygen fugacity (or increase the carbon dioxide fugacity), and it would also be reversible.

 

Maedhros

(10,007 posts)
110. I should provide a caveat:
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 03:39 PM
Aug 2013

my answer was extremely simplified. There are many other factors at play, and a reaction that is theoretically reversible may not be practically so.

Thermodynamics is a harsh mistress. So is kinetics.

(Let's not even start with statistical mechanics...)

madokie

(51,076 posts)
79. 13 of 13
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 01:01 PM
Aug 2013

You answered 13 of 13 questions correctly.
This quiz is a joint effort between the Pew Research Center and Smithsonian magazine.

See below how your results compare with the 1,006 randomly sampled adults that took part in our national survey and review how you responded to each question. For more findings from the survey, read "Public's Knowledge of Science and Technology."
You scored better than 93% of the public and the same as 7%.

13
Total number of questions answered correctly
These percentages only reflect the 1,006 adults that took part in the national survey; online quiz results are not included in the sample.
Your responses and demographic breakdowns
Below are the percentages of each group from the nationally representative sample who answered correctly during the telephone survey.

blackspade

(10,056 posts)
99. 13 out of 13 here
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 02:04 PM
Aug 2013

I didn't think it was hard at all.
Very basic really.

The low score on the atmosphere blew me away.

GoCubsGo

(32,080 posts)
106. An interesting and somewhat comforting breakdown of the results.
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 02:46 PM
Aug 2013

For the most part, the younger the respondents, the more they know about science. Despite everything, it looks like science education here has improved over the years. The 65+ results are abominable, overall. That explains a lot, when you consider that the majority of teabaggers belong to this age group.

Go Vols

(5,902 posts)
114. Missed one
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 03:45 PM
Aug 2013

You scored better than 85% of the public, below 7% and the same as 8%.

Why did I pick hydrogen :/

freethought

(2,457 posts)
125. 13 out of 13. Problems is
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 04:59 PM
Aug 2013

I scored better than 93% of the rest of the test subjects. That's a scary thought.

Zorra

(27,670 posts)
128. 12 out 13, which means our country is in deep doo-doo, because if I scored
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 05:04 PM
Aug 2013

below only 7 percent of the public, we have a serious education problem.

I'm unquestionably science challenged, and that test only took about 2 minutes to complete.

Rhiannon12866

(205,237 posts)
147. I missed one!
Tue Aug 27, 2013, 05:58 AM
Aug 2013

And here I thought I knew more about science than I did religion, missed one on that test, too...

nuxvomica

(12,422 posts)
150. What a poorly worded test!
Tue Aug 27, 2013, 07:10 AM
Aug 2013

"All radioactivity is man-made. Is this statement..." should be "All radioactivity is man-made. This statement is..." They're all phrased in that odd way, like the answer is part of the question. I got all 13 but it was very annoying. Science needs English majors.

Turbineguy

(37,320 posts)
151. I'm in the top 7%
Tue Aug 27, 2013, 07:23 AM
Aug 2013

That's depressing. The test was pretty easy. It seems however that a lot of people know about anti-biotic resistance, which is something.

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