NEW YORK, NY - May 20, 2003: As the conflict in Iraq winds down and the focus on homeland security heightens, a new Gallup survey released today reveals Americans overwhelmingly recognize the critical role science and technology play in U.S. national security now and in the future. They believe that the military and other agencies assigned to protect us both at home and abroad rely heavily on science and technology (S&T) and that America's new emphasis on national security will create new S&T job opportunities for today's students.

These are among the central findings of the Bayer Facts of Science Education IX: Americans' Views on the Role of Science and Technology in U.S. National Defense, a Gallup survey of 1,004 Americans age 18 and over commissioned by Bayer Corporation as part of its Making Science Make Sense (MSMS) program.

In the survey, nine in 10 Americans say a strong national science and technology capability is a critical component of U.S. security at home and abroad and eight in l0 believe it will be "very important" in helping the U.S. meet future terrorist threats. They characterize U.S. military preparedness (95%), intelligence preparedness (93%) and law enforcement preparedness (86%) as reliant on S&T and report that the country's new emphasis on homeland security will create new job opportunities in S&T for today's students (75%).

Yet, Americans are concerned that poor U.S. student performance in science and math as witnessed on the Third International Math and Science Study (TIMSS) may negatively impact the nation's future security (87%) and economic prosperity (90%). As a result, nine in 10 (90%) Americans believe that improving pre-college math and science education is a national priority that must be addressed.

"The events of the last two years clearly have had a profound effect on the collective American consciousness. Americans always had a keen appreciation for science and technology. The latest events and the continuing terror alerts have demonstrated how important science and technology are in an aspect of life that is not always top-of-mind," said Dr. Attila Molnar, President and CEO of Bayer Corporation. "Science and technology do not just provide us with new medicines, more efficient products, better electronics and hi-tech gadgets. They are on the front lines, defending and protecting us and the country."

Science Literacy and Homeland Security

But science literacy is not only important for professionals involved in national security, according to those polled. Nine in l0 (91%) say it is important for average Americans to be science literate in order to understand and deal with terrorist threats like bioterrorism, nuclear and cyberterrorism. And, they believe that since September 11, it is even more important than before for today's students to be science literate (72%).

Interestingly, when asked if they consider themselves science literate, two-thirds (66%) say they are, but when asked if improving their level of science literacy would help them make more effective decisions about protecting themselves and their families against potential threats to homeland security, three-quarters (76%) say yes.

"If this survey tells us anything, it's that people 'get it.' Regardless of age, gender, race or income level, Americans understand the critical impact of science and technology in different spheres of society. They are aware of the relevance and importance of being science literate - having the general knowledge of science, math and technology in assessing information, solving problems and making decisions everyday," said Dr. Mae C. Jemison, the nation's first African-American female astronaut and national MSMS spokesperson.

"So the question is, are we effective in providing students with the quality of science and math education that produces science literacy?"

Improving Education is the Key

The simple answer is no. Nine in 10 Americans (90%) state they are concerned that today's students may not have "the math and science skills necessary to produce the science excellence required for homeland security and economic leadership in the 21st century."

When asked about how pre-college science should be taught, almost nine in l0 (86%) Americans say they favor replacing textbook-based education with hands-on science learning that helps students develop skills such as critical-thinking, problem-solving and working collaboratively with others.

However, some Americans lack confidence in elementary schools teachers' ability to teach science as compared to other basic subjects like math, reading and writing. Specifically, more than one-quarter (28%) say today's elementary school teachers are not qualified to teach science; one half (53%) say they are somewhat qualified; but, less thanone in 10 (9%) say they are very qualified. In an earlier Bayer Facts survey, elementary school teachers themselves said science is the subject they feel least qualified to teach.

How can we ratchet up the quality of U.S. science education? Almost all Americans agree that it is important for companies that employ S&T workers to play an active role in improving pre-college science education, with nearly two-thirds (63%) calling it "very important." (For specific ways Americans suggest companies get involved, please see attached sidebar.)

"With Americans nearly unanimous in their views that improving pre-college science and math education is a national priority, and that teaching science in a hands-on, inquiry-based way is preferable in today's complex scientific and technological world, they're sending a very strong message to those who have a stake in strengthening the nation's education infrastructure," said Bayer' s Molnar.

"Now, it's up to each of the stakeholders - parents, educators, legislators and business leaders - to get involved, support reform efforts and see to it that change really does occur."

Making Science Make Sense is a company-wide initiative that advances science literacy through hands-on, inquiry-based science learning, employee volunteerism and public education. Currently, 15 Bayer sites around the country operate local MSMS programs, representing a national volunteer corps of more than 1,200 employees.

Bayer Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is the U.S. holding company of the worldwide Bayer Group, an international health care and chemicals group based in Leverkusen Germany. Bayer employs 24,600 in North America with net North American sales of 8.9 billion Euros in 2002. Bayer's five operating companies -- CropScience, Chemicals, HealthCare, Polymers and Pharmaceuticals -- produce a broad range of products that help diagnose and treat diseases, purify water, preserve local landmarks, protect crops, advance automobile safety and durability and improve people's lives.

Results of the Bayer Facts IX survey are based on telephone interviews with a national sample of 1,004 adult men and women age 18 and over who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States. All interviewing was conducted by The Gallup Organization during March and April 2003. For results based on samples of this size, one can say with 95 percent confidence that the error attributable to sampling and other random effects could be plus or minus three percentage points. In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of opinion polls.

Please note survey findings reported as important or concerned represent responses that include both "very" and "somewhat."

• 98% say company employee-volunteer programs that bring scientists, engineers and technical workers in to classrooms to work with students and teachers.
  
  
• 98% say internship programs for high-school students that bring students into companies to interact with scientists, engineers and technicians.
  
  
• 96% say internship programs for K-12 science teachers that bring the teachers into companies to interact with scientists, engineers and technicians.
  
  
• 95% say one-on-one mentoring programs for middle and high school students.