Science Education Falters With No New Sputnik

For many, Sputnik was proof that American education, particularly in science, had fallen behind. Scientists and engineers warned Congress that the cold war was being fought with slide rules, not rifles. Today Dr. Wheeler, a physicist, heads the National Science Teachers Association, and  the landscape of science education is far different. “We look at declining numbers of students who think that math, science or engineering is what they want to do,” Dr. Malcolm said. No event or effort to change science education has produced the widespread ferment and public engagement of Sputnik. Read more at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/25/science/space/25educ.html?_r=1&ref=education&oref=slogin