Basic Science Questions; Maybe the US isn't so Bad?

[Bonny]

You wouldn't know if from the headline but the US didn't do so bad.

You can expand the country/region area by scrolling over the chart with your mouse.

www.sfgate.com/technology/businessinsider/article/Here-s-The-Basic-Science-Question-That-1-in-4-5248649.php

Yes, I answered all the questions correctly says the non STEM  

[Bonny]

Feb 19, 2014 18:14:00 GMT -5 @tbird said:

I saw this previously.

I think us was behind other countries

Could you read the chart? We actually did pretty well. I was a little surprised. Of course some of the questions were embarrassingly dumb...

[Angel!]

What is with Russia?  They did poorly on every question.  It takes some work to do that poorly on a true/false test.

[Bonny]

Feb 19, 2014 18:28:44 GMT -5 Angel! said:

What is with Russia?  They did poorly on every question.  It takes some work to do that poorly on a true/false test.

Russia's got talent?

I was surprised at how poorly Japan did on some of the questions.

[Sum Dum Gai]

High school grads only answered 45% correct.  On true/false questions.  Statistically they did slightly worse than flipping a coin.  Wow.

[Virgil Showlion]

Feb 19, 2014 18:35:24 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

High school grads only answered 45% correct.  On true/false questions.  Statistically they did slightly worse than flipping a coin.  Wow.

In fairness, it's a lousy exam.

Simple questions, yes, but they're all completely useless trivia (excepting possibly the question on antibiotics).

The answer to 8 is technically wrong. It's not the father's gene (singular) that determines the sex of the child, it's the father's chromosome, containing many thousands of male-specific genes.

The answer to 3 is ambiguous. If you use Earth as a frame of reference and set it as 0,0,0 in a spatial coordinate system, the Sun does revolve around the Earth. If we use the Moon as a frame of reference, we could correctly posit that the Earth revolves around the Moon.

[Miss Tequila]

I got 9 out of 10. I have no idea about lasers. Other than that, the questions were very basic. And I was a freaking business major with no interest in science

[chiver78]

Feb 19, 2014 19:09:30 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Feb 19, 2014 18:35:24 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

High school grads only answered 45% correct.  On true/false questions.  Statistically they did slightly worse than flipping a coin.  Wow.

In fairness, it's a lousy exam.

Simple questions, yes, but they're all completely useless trivia (excepting possibly the question on antibiotics).

The answer to 8 is technically wrong. It's not the father's gene (singular) that determines the sex of the child, it's the father's chromosome, containing many thousands of male-specific genes.

The answer to 3 is ambiguous. If you use Earth as a frame of reference and set it as 0,0,0 in a spatial coordinate system, the Sun does revolve around the Earth. If we use the Moon as a frame of reference, we could correctly posit that the Earth revolves around the Moon.

in my opinion, it's tailored to the non-STEM respondent. I disagree that the majority is useless trivia, but argue that it's general basic science across a variety of specialties. I think it's a pretty decent rough quiz, as a scientist.

I agree that the answer to #8 is technically wrong. but I ask - would you rather the respondent know that the mother's egg has zero to do with the sex of the child, or whether the respondent knows what a chromosome is?

for #3, children are taught about the solar system as a whole, not as individual bodies solely from that body's perspective. the Earth is one of many planets and satellites that all revolve around the sun. would you disagree with that statement? the question being asked is one to determine whether the respondent considers the Earth to be the center of the universe (which it isn't....) or not. alternate origins of perspective is quite a bit above the intent of this quiz.

as always, this post is simply my opinion. YMMV.

[Virgil Showlion]

Feb 19, 2014 19:33:01 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Feb 19, 2014 19:09:30 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

In fairness, it's a lousy exam.

Simple questions, yes, but they're all completely useless trivia (excepting possibly the question on antibiotics).

The answer to 8 is technically wrong. It's not the father's gene (singular) that determines the sex of the child, it's the father's chromosome, containing many thousands of male-specific genes.

The answer to 3 is ambiguous. If you use Earth as a frame of reference and set it as 0,0,0 in a spatial coordinate system, the Sun does revolve around the Earth. If we use the Moon as a frame of reference, we could correctly posit that the Earth revolves around the Moon.

in my opinion, it's tailored to the non-STEM respondent. I disagree that the majority is useless trivia, but argue that it's general basic science across a variety of specialties. I think it's a pretty decent rough quiz, as a scientist.

I agree that the answer to #8 is technically wrong. but I ask - would you rather the respondent know that the mother's egg has zero to do with the sex of the child, or whether the respondent knows what a chromosome is?

for #3, children are taught about the solar system as a whole, not as individual bodies solely from that body's perspective. the Earth is one of many planets and satellites that all revolve around the sun. would you disagree with that statement? the question being asked is one to determine whether the respondent considers the Earth to be the center of the universe (which it isn't....) or not. alternate origins of perspective is quite a bit above the intent of this quiz.

as always, this post is simply my opinion. YMMV.

I agree with all your points, but the fact remains that a test on scientific trivia is little more than a gauge of how much scientific trivia people know. Start asking more practical questions like "T/F: It takes more energy to stop a car than to stop a freight train?", "T/F: Spinning a merry-go-round generates an outward-acting force on its riders?", "T/F: Carbon monoxide detectors should be placed on the ceiling since carbon monoxide is lighter than air?", etc., and I'd bet you'd see significantly higher scores across the board.

Frankly, nobody except STEM majors and trivia buffs really care that the center of the Earth is hot or that lasers aren't made out of sound waves. That kind of information is useless and easily forgotten.

[Bonny]

Feb 19, 2014 20:14:20 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Feb 19, 2014 19:33:01 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

in my opinion, it's tailored to the non-STEM respondent. I disagree that the majority is useless trivia, but argue that it's general basic science across a variety of specialties. I think it's a pretty decent rough quiz, as a scientist.

I agree that the answer to #8 is technically wrong. but I ask - would you rather the respondent know that the mother's egg has zero to do with the sex of the child, or whether the respondent knows what a chromosome is?

for #3, children are taught about the solar system as a whole, not as individual bodies solely from that body's perspective. the Earth is one of many planets and satellites that all revolve around the sun. would you disagree with that statement? the question being asked is one to determine whether the respondent considers the Earth to be the center of the universe (which it isn't....) or not. alternate origins of perspective is quite a bit above the intent of this quiz.

as always, this post is simply my opinion. YMMV.

I agree with all your points, but the fact remains that a test on scientific trivia is little more than a gauge of how much scientific trivia people know. Start asking more practical questions like "T/F: It takes more energy to stop a car than to stop a freight train?", "T/F: Spinning a merry-go-round generates an outward-acting force on its riders?", "T/F: Carbon monoxide detectors should be placed on the ceiling since carbon monoxide is lighter than air?", etc., and I'd bet you'd see significantly higher scores across the board.

Frankly, nobody except STEM majors and trivia buffs really care that the center of the Earth is hot or that lasers aren't made out of sound waves. That kind of information is useless and easily forgotten.

Based on what we saw at the Railroad, you may be horrified at the answers you would get.

And people who live near volcanos might disagree with you.

[chiver78]

Feb 19, 2014 20:14:20 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Feb 19, 2014 19:33:01 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

in my opinion, it's tailored to the non-STEM respondent. I disagree that the majority is useless trivia, but argue that it's general basic science across a variety of specialties. I think it's a pretty decent rough quiz, as a scientist.

I agree that the answer to #8 is technically wrong. but I ask - would you rather the respondent know that the mother's egg has zero to do with the sex of the child, or whether the respondent knows what a chromosome is?

for #3, children are taught about the solar system as a whole, not as individual bodies solely from that body's perspective. the Earth is one of many planets and satellites that all revolve around the sun. would you disagree with that statement? the question being asked is one to determine whether the respondent considers the Earth to be the center of the universe (which it isn't....) or not. alternate origins of perspective is quite a bit above the intent of this quiz.

as always, this post is simply my opinion. YMMV.

I agree with all your points, but the fact remains that a test on scientific trivia is little more than a gauge of how much scientific trivia people know. Start asking more practical questions like "T/F: It takes more energy to stop a car than to stop a freight train?", "T/F: Spinning a merry-go-round generates an outward-acting force on its riders?", "T/F: Carbon monoxide detectors should be placed on the ceiling since carbon monoxide is lighter than air?", etc., and I'd bet you'd see significantly higher scores across the board.

Frankly, nobody except STEM majors and trivia buffs really care that the center of the Earth is hot or that lasers aren't made out of sound waves. That kind of information is useless and easily forgotten.

your CO question is relevant to everyone, but your other two questions involve higher science classes that, unless you're pursuing a BS degree, you aren't likely to take. that's not who this quiz was aimed at.

[Miss Tequila]

Feb 20, 2014 9:09:13 GMT -5 @tbird said:

Feb 19, 2014 19:18:11 GMT -5 Miss Tequila said:

I got 9 out of 10. I have no idea about lasers. Other than that, the questions were very basic. And I was a freaking business major with no interest in science

that was a basic one too! way to side step!

LOL! It wasn't basic to me!  I'm not a Star Wars fan, I know nothing about lasers!

[tloonya]

Feb 19, 2014 18:33:52 GMT -5 Bonny said:

Feb 19, 2014 18:28:44 GMT -5 Angel! said:

What is with Russia?  They did poorly on every question.  It takes some work to do that poorly on a true/false test.

Russia's got talent?

I was surprised at how poorly Japan did on some of the questions.

Are we going to be stripped of the 'stupid Americans' title?

[Miss Tequila]

Feb 20, 2014 9:23:52 GMT -5 @tbird said:

Feb 20, 2014 9:20:00 GMT -5 Miss Tequila said:

LOL! It wasn't basic to me!  I'm not a Star Wars fan, I know nothing about lasers!

Back in the 60's, I had a weather changing machine that was, in essence, a sophisticated heat beam which we called a "laser."

Are you trying to post porn?? I see a "linking forbidden" picture

[Formerly SK]

Wow I got them all correct!  <----says the liberal arts major. 

I think the questions test basic understanding of science across a broad range of subjects within science.  In some ways it is trivia like a pp mentioned, but OTOH this kind of basic knowledge should be understood by people.  Yeah, the laser question probably isn't useful in day to day life, but we use lasers all the time for things so why not know a bit about it? 

The test results would probably be more accurate if it was 50 questions instead of 10.  I happened to be lucky that I knew these basic questions, but I'm sure there are other basic questions I don't know the answer to.

[Miss Tequila]

Feb 20, 2014 9:32:55 GMT -5 Formerly SK said:

Wow I got them all correct!  <----says the liberal arts major. 

I think the questions test basic understanding of science across a broad range of subjects within science.  In some ways it is trivia like a pp mentioned, but OTOH this kind of basic knowledge should be understood by people.  Yeah, the laser question probably isn't useful in day to day life, but we use lasers all the time for things so why not know a bit about it? 

The test results would probably be more accurate if it was 50 questions instead of 10.  I happened to be lucky that I knew these basic questions, but I'm sure there are other basic questions I don't know the answer to.

I get the feelling you all are calling me stupid because I don't know about lasers- - Let's be honest here, I'm stupid in more significant areas than that

[Formerly SK]

Feb 20, 2014 9:42:06 GMT -5 Miss Tequila said:

Feb 20, 2014 9:32:55 GMT -5 Formerly SK said:

Wow I got them all correct!  <----says the liberal arts major. 

I think the questions test basic understanding of science across a broad range of subjects within science.  In some ways it is trivia like a pp mentioned, but OTOH this kind of basic knowledge should be understood by people.  Yeah, the laser question probably isn't useful in day to day life, but we use lasers all the time for things so why not know a bit about it? 

The test results would probably be more accurate if it was 50 questions instead of 10.  I happened to be lucky that I knew these basic questions, but I'm sure there are other basic questions I don't know the answer to.

I get the feelling you all are calling me stupid because I don't know about lasers- - Let's be honest here, I'm stupid in more significant areas than that

Not stupid....just not operating at full capacity because you're hung over from last night. 

[Miss Tequila]

Feb 20, 2014 9:52:33 GMT -5 Formerly SK said:

Feb 20, 2014 9:42:06 GMT -5 Miss Tequila said:

I get the feelling you all are calling me stupid because I don't know about lasers- - Let's be honest here, I'm stupid in more significant areas than that

Not stupid....just not operating at full capacity because you're hung over from last night. 

it's like you never hear of "hair of the dog"...being hung over would mean I stopped drinking 

[tloonya]

Feb 20, 2014 9:32:05 GMT -5 Ratchets said:

Feb 20, 2014 9:26:55 GMT -5 tloonya said:

Are we going to be stripped of the 'stupid Americans' title?

I certainly hope not...gotta give the rest of the world something to cling too.  'MERICA!

So let's go take that test and fail 100% so we keep the title. I am sure I can!

[busymom]

Woo Hoo! 10 out of 10! <Busy gives fellow business major Miss T a high five.>

Now I feel better about sucking at "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader". 

[wyouser]

10 of 10, Yippee!  Now where is that CORE math stuff where I get to show 2+2= 5 and get a star for being correct?  Did any of you catch the reporters wandering the streets of New York this week? On Presidents day they were asking folks who said: "The buck stops here"  A couple folks got that right. The second guy was asking folks what comments they had on the death of President Roosevelt. NOT one caught the reality that he died in 1945.

[tloonya]

Well, I did it!
I can't even find test!!!!!!

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

T/F: It takes more energy to stop a car than to stop a freight train?", "T/F: Spinning a merry-go-round generates an outward-acting force on its riders?", "T/F: Carbon monoxide detectors should be placed on the ceiling since carbon monoxide is lighter than air?", etc., and I'd bet you'd see significantly higher scores across the board.


You'd probably see worse.  I have to disagree with you too that these are standard questions everyone should know the answer to. I do know the answers but I haven't thought about physics since. .. physics class.  

I could ask you a bunch of genetics/chemistry/microbiological questions that would be routine stuff for me, but might be stuff you haven't thought about since undergrad.

This quiz is designed for lay people, the majority of whom never go past 101-102 level science class coursework.  The things one the quiz everyone should have learned in K-12.

[Virgil Showlion]

Feb 20, 2014 13:34:14 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

T/F: It takes more energy to stop a car than to stop a freight train?", "T/F: Spinning a merry-go-round generates an outward-acting force on its riders?", "T/F: Carbon monoxide detectors should be placed on the ceiling since carbon monoxide is lighter than air?", etc., and I'd bet you'd see significantly higher scores across the board.


You'd probably see worse.  I have to disagree with you too that these are standard questions everyone should know the answer to. I do know the answers but I haven't thought about physics since. .. physics class.  

I could ask you a bunch of genetics/chemistry/microbiological questions that would be routine stuff for me, but might be stuff you haven't thought about since undergrad.

This quiz is designed for lay people, the majority of whom never go past 101-102 level science class coursework.  The things one the quiz everyone should have learned in K-12.

All of the questions in the quiz, and the three questions I suggested all cover material that should be known by grades 5-6.

My belief is the low test scores reflect the fact that people simply forget the scientific trivia they're taught in school. It doesn't interest them, it isn't applicable anywhere in their lives, and they aren't interested in periodically refreshing their scientific knowledge.

[Peace Of Mind]

I got 2 wrong.  #4 and #6.  And I just want to say it's been many a few years since I was in school and I have no kids to help with homework.  It's not that I'm stupid and/or can't remember shit! 

[Cookies Galore]

10/10. Score one for the Communications majors!



Or, those who attended elementary school. Whatevs.

[kent]

Feb 19, 2014 17:53:47 GMT -5 Bonny said:

Yes, I answered all the questions correctly says the non STEM  

Me too - well except for: 3. Does the Earth go around the sun, or does the sun go around the Earth?  <<I think I can blame my ex for this because she actually thought the sun rose and set on her [fill in the blank] so I've been conditioned.

Learn something new every day

[tskeeter]

Feb 19, 2014 21:09:56 GMT -5 Bonny said:

Feb 19, 2014 20:14:20 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

I agree with all your points, but the fact remains that a test on scientific trivia is little more than a gauge of how much scientific trivia people know. Start asking more practical questions like "T/F: It takes more energy to stop a car than to stop a freight train?", "T/F: Spinning a merry-go-round generates an outward-acting force on its riders?", "T/F: Carbon monoxide detectors should be placed on the ceiling since carbon monoxide is lighter than air?", etc., and I'd bet you'd see significantly higher scores across the board.

Frankly, nobody except STEM majors and trivia buffs really care that the center of the Earth is hot or that lasers aren't made out of sound waves. That kind of information is useless and easily forgotten.

Based on what we saw at the Railroad, you may be horrified at the answers you would get.

And people who live near volcanos might disagree with you.

Or people who are interested in geothermal generation of electricity.  Or geothermal space heating.  Or who work in mining industry.

[Virgil Showlion]

Feb 20, 2014 18:13:57 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

Feb 19, 2014 21:09:56 GMT -5 Bonny said:

Based on what we saw at the Railroad, you may be horrified at the answers you would get.

And people who live near volcanos might disagree with you.

Or people who are interested in geothermal generation of electricity.  Or geothermal space heating.  ...

i.e. STEM majors.

Geology still counts as a science.

[tskeeter]

Feb 20, 2014 18:33:51 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Feb 20, 2014 18:13:57 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

Or people who are interested in geothermal generation of electricity.  Or geothermal space heating.  ...

i.e. STEM majors.

Geology still counts as a science.

But, you don't have to be a geologist to be interested in practical applications of geothermal heat sources.  I'm an accountant living near a geothermal power plant.  I'm interested.  I'm also interested in goethermal space heating.  And I suspect that most miners, working in stifling heat hundreds of feet underground, aren't STEM majors, either.  There are lots of reason why even a liberal arts major might find knowing that the earth's temperature increases the further you go below the surface to be a useful bit of information.  Hey, you might even consider using geothermal heat sources to keep snow and ice from building up on your airport runways and ramps so passengers, like me, are not inconvenienced by weather caused delays.