Why Don't Kids Learn Science Anymore?

From: KQED
Series: QUEST
Length: 04:39

Despite high-tech hubs like Silicon Valley, California's science literacy is in steep decline. Read the full description.

Piece Audio

Playing: Why Don't Kids Learn Science Anymore?
From: KQED

Radio34sciencegap160_small California has some of the lowest science scores in the country. Even amid high-tech capitals like Silicon Valley, teachers spend less than an hour a week on the subject. What's happened to elementary school science education, and what can be done to improve it?

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Piece Description

California has some of the lowest science scores in the country. Even amid high-tech capitals like Silicon Valley, teachers spend less than an hour a week on the subject. What's happened to elementary school science education, and what can be done to improve it?

Broadcast History

Aired twice on 10/27 during "B" segment of Morning Edition, locally - KQED and KQEI.

Transcript

LOMBARDO: That?s so interesting! That is SO interesting!

Daniel Lombardo is a 4th grader at Fair Oaks Elementary School in Redwood City. In science class today, he's successfully wired two batteries into an electrical circuit, powering a light bulb. And he?s very pleased with himself.

LOMBARDO: Not a lot of people know that! (CONTINUE classroom ambi then fade under act.)

MORROW: They love science. It?s their favorite part of the day.

That?s Stacy Morrow, Lombardo?s teacher. Most of her students are English language learners and she says science is one of the few subjects where nearly everyone shines.

MORROW This is the one chance they get to talk with partners, and try something without me giving them the answers right away. And just kind of experiment.

Students at Fair Oaks spend about four hours a week on science. That?s unusual. A 2007 survey by UC Berkeley's L...
Read the full transcript

Timing and Cues

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California has some of the lowest science scores in the country. Even amid high-tech capitals like Silicon Valley, teachers spend less than an hour a week on the subject. What's happened to elementary school science education, and what can be done to improve it? From KQED in San Francisco, Amy Standen reports.