The United States is losing the scientific race
A report released December 5 by the nonpartisan Science and Technology Action Committee (STAC) reveals that more than 75% of STEM workers say other nations have surpassed or they will soon surpass the United States in science and technology.
The "State of Science in America" calls on the country to develop a national science and technology strategy and to at least double federal funding for scientific research over the next five years.
The report included a survey of nearly 2,000 people working in five science and technology-related sectors: K-12 education, healthcare, business, national security and military, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Only 8% of respondents said the United States is a world leader in science and technology and expanding its lead. Furthermore, "60% believe that China, rather than the United States, will be the world leader in science and technology in five years."
The lack of adequate STEM education in schools was identified as the main obstacle to advancing science and technology in the United States. Almost 70% of respondents considered the quality of the country's STEM education system to be average or poor.
According to the survey, approximately 40% of respondents believe that the federal government is primarily responsible for the strength of science and technology in the United States, followed by private companies (23%), academic institutions (22%), and non-profit organizations (4%).
(From the TASS Agency)