[nmh]

“Movies such as Spiderman 2 and Speed generate excitement among audiences with their cool special effects. But they also defy the laws of physics, contributing to students’ ignorance about science. “

Kids will know more about SPECIAL EFFECTS than WHY these special effects are not reality.

“The Science and Engineering Indicators 2006 report seems to support his observations. The report shows that the average science scores among 12th graders in the U.S. dropped from the previous year. The scores remained stagnant in the fourth and eighth grades. Worse, only about one-third of all students tested were proficient, meaning they had a solid understanding of what they should know.”

Kids are NOT learning what they should. It’s fluff. It’s not serious. It’s ALL entertainment driven - even in their “science” work books.

“If youngsters aren’t getting the basics at the elementary level, it becomes very difficult for them to continue to study the subjects in college and virtually impossible for them to make significant contributions to the scientific community, Efthimiou said.”

It’s appalling what passes for Science in elementary grades.

The U.S. will continue to lower its ranking WORLDWIDE unless academia gets serious. At the moment there is NO INCENTIVE to do that. The worst part is parents not don't see it because they didn't do well either in math and science. Having done well i both, I SEE IT and constantly SUPPLEMENT with math and science SEEING how watered down and ridiculous these subjects have become.

[lawnguy]

The U.S. will continue to lower its ranking WORLDWIDE unless academia gets serious. At the moment there is NO INCENTIVE to do that. The worst part is parents not don't see it because they didn't do well either in math and science.

This, my friend, is on the money.

[timer]

It’s evolution in action : intelligence is the winning talent : the real scientists live, the movie dummies die.