A recent survey revealed that majority of Americans believes in things scientists say because they help solve challenging problems and work for the benefit of humankind.
Researchers from the Michigan State University led by associate professor John Besley reviewed responses of 2,200 people interviewed by the National Science Foundation.
They found out that 90 percent of the respondents are either "moderately interested" or "very interested" to know the latest developments and breakthroughs in science, especially in the medical field. A rate of close to 90 percent thinks that the benefits of science are more important than any potential dangers. A third, or roughly 67 percent of Americans agree that science and technology should get more financial support.
Furthermore, they also found that 60 percent of Americans have already been to a zoo or aquarium, science and technology museum, and natural history museum. However, though United States appear to be strongly inclined in applying "informal science education," many Americans still had difficulties giving the correct answers in some basic questions about biological and physical sciences. The average score for a 10-item test was 6.5 which is below the passing average.
Informal science education is the learning and teaching of anything about science outside the formal school curriculum like what happens in museums, community-based programs, and the media.
In some questions in the survey, only 48 percent of Americans knew that humans evolved from earlier species of animals, and one out of four Americans do not know that the Earth circles the sun.
"It's important for Americans to maintain a high regard for science and scientists. It can help ensure funding and help attract future scientist," said Besley in a university press release.
The study was presented Feb. 14 during the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
