Media monsters

Is media hindering federal incentives to promote science education?

A strong deficit in science education and scientific literacy has been identified. President Obama’s proposed budget aims to aggressively increase funding for science education.

The number of news publications with science sections is rapidly shrinking; very few Americans can name a living scientist. Is it possible that media portrayal of science (or lack there of) might explain the decreased interest in science among students? This is a question I have asked before.


“A Previous Death at the Hand of Alabama Suspect” published in the New York Times on Feb. 13th, reported on the tragic shootings at the University of Alabama. It included the statement “... others who knew Dr. Bishop described her as a normal person, perhaps a little quirky but no more so than most scientists.” Should the media promote the stereotype that all scientists are quirky? Would such sweeping statements based on race or gender be tolerated? Is it necessary to attack all members of the scientific community?

Could such statements partially explain why extra funding is required to interest our children in science education?

Perhaps we should be careful about the monsters we create.