Methane Molecule

The TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) is conducted every four years and compares 4th and 8th grade math and science scores for dozens of participating nations around the world. Surprisingly (or not), the U.S. scores are not great. Depending on how you look at the scores, they are either lackluster or terrible. While it looks like achievement gaps are narrowing, the U.S., as a whole, is losing ground compared to other nations. The result, of course, is that fewer and fewer American children are adequately prepared to excel in technology careers. If this trend continues, prosperity for Americans will continue to decline as prosperity is increasingly tied to a nation’s technology literacy.

Because most homeschoolers do not normally participate in standardized tests, we really have no idea whether or not we are doing any better at preparing our children in math and science than the public education system. My fear is that we may not be. Why? Because, as a whole, the American population (including homeschoolers) is not necessarily educated, knowledgeable, or interested in math and science.

Too many parents think science is just performing a series of fun kitchen experiments. Although fun and entertaining, these kinds of activities alone may not prepare young minds for careers in biotechnology, nanotechnology, and beyond. To succeed, students need critical thinking skills and an absolute understanding of the underlying physics, chemistry, biology behind the technology.

The solution? First, educate ourselves about science, math and technology through daily immersion in science news relating to innovative technologies and technology trends. Next, start a rigorous science curriculum (chemistry, physics, biology, etc.) where students learn to understand and explain the science behind the kitchen experiments. Finally, start at an early age and teach accompanying math as an integral part of each lesson instead of as a wholly different topic.

Although not every American child needs to become a biotechnology engineer, every child needs to be highly technology-literate in order to participate in the world economy.

Related Post – Big-Picture Thinking: Math and Science