At least one third of the new jobs in the next generation will be in science. Concerns about the environment, global warming, and crippling diseases are just a few issues on a long list that will need experts in science to address. That’s why news from the Minnesota Department of Education this week was alarming. Minnesota is the first of the fifty states to institute standardized testing in science for all its students. While the decision to test for science was good news, the initial results weren’t. Only 43% of Minnesota’s elementary and secondary students received a passing grade, far below the rates for reading and math. That mirrors the news last week that only 28% of entering college freshman is ready for college science courses.

These test results will no doubt spur some needed emphasis on science education in our schools. But we can’t just look to the schools to improve our kids’ performance. As I have written before, self discipline is twice as strong a predictor of school success as intelligence. That is especially true in science where focused attention and patience are key to learning important but difficult concepts.

It seems like we get reminders every day of how important it is for us to equip our children and youth with the skills and character traits that will equip them to tackle the tough subjects and prepare them for a life of success and happiness.

Dr. Dave