How long does it take the Earth to revolve around the Sun? Did the earliest humans and dinosaurs live at the same time? What percent of the Earth’s surface is covered with water? If you don’t know the answers to all three questions (1 year, no, and about 70%) then you have company. Lots of company. Only one out of five American adults know the answer to all three questions, according to a survey commissioned by the California Academy of Sciences.
Despite the low grasp of science knowledge, about 4 in 5 adults say science education is “absolutely essential” or “very important” to the U.S. healthcare system (86%), the U.S. global reputation (79%), and the U.S. economy (77%). They would know.
Take the quiz yourself at the California Academy of Science website.
(HT: Joanne Jacobs)
Argh! I got the fresh water question wrong. I was off by just over 2 percentage points.