High School Physics Enrollment Hits Record High
More U.S. high-school students are taking physics
than ever before, and the number of physics bachelor’s degree recipients
in the nation has increased 31 percent since 2000, according to new data
presented today by the American Institute of Physics (AIP).
More U.S. high-school students are taking physics than
ever before, and the number of physics bachelor’s degree recipients in the
nation has increased 31 percent since 2000, according to new data presented
today by the American Institute of Physics
(AIP).
In addition, physics bachelor’s degree recipients are eight times more likely to go on to earn any kind of PhD than those with non-physics bachelor’s, the new data show.
The data show more than 30 percent of high school seniors have taken physics classes, more than ever before. This percentage has been rising steadily since the mid-1980s.
Girls and minorities are also enrolling in high school physics classes at higher rates. Female students who made up only 39 percent of high school physics students in 1987 now represent 47 percent. The percentages of African Americans and Latinos taking high school physics classes have more than doubled since 1990, moving from 10 percent of African Americans and 10 percent of Latinos to 23 percent and 24 percent, respectively.
There’s no magic bullet, here, bringing dramatic overnight results. Rather, a long and consistent emphasis on science brings this result after 20 years of steady growth.
It’s great news for education, for science, potential for our economy. All the more reason to maintain the fightback against those who would counter science education with superstition.
In addition, physics bachelor’s degree recipients are eight times more likely to go on to earn any kind of PhD than those with non-physics bachelor’s, the new data show.
The data show more than 30 percent of high school seniors have taken physics classes, more than ever before. This percentage has been rising steadily since the mid-1980s.
Girls and minorities are also enrolling in high school physics classes at higher rates. Female students who made up only 39 percent of high school physics students in 1987 now represent 47 percent. The percentages of African Americans and Latinos taking high school physics classes have more than doubled since 1990, moving from 10 percent of African Americans and 10 percent of Latinos to 23 percent and 24 percent, respectively.
There’s no magic bullet, here, bringing dramatic overnight results. Rather, a long and consistent emphasis on science brings this result after 20 years of steady growth.
It’s great news for education, for science, potential for our economy. All the more reason to maintain the fightback against those who would counter science education with superstition.
Posted: Thu - January 11, 2007 at 07:52 AM