The State of U.S. Science and Engineering 2020
January 2020
This report covers trends in and the relative global position of the U.S. S&E enterprise, including education, workforce, R&D, industry output, and innovation. Data show mixed trends. The United States continues to perform the most R&D, award the most S&E doctoral degrees, and account for significant numbers of S&E research articles and citations worldwide. However, growth of S&E capabilities in other nations, particularly China, has outpaced that of the United States along several dimensions. The United States has seen its relative share of global S&T activity flatten or decline, even as its absolute activity levels kept rising.
Continue Reading >Elementary and Secondary Mathematics and Science Education
September 2019
This report presents national trends in K–12 student achievement and compares U.S. student performance with that of other nations. It explores mathematics and science knowledge from kindergarten to fifth grade, followed by STEM achievement for eighth graders, finding differences across socioeconomic status. International comparisons show that U.S. students score in the middle of advanced economies. The report also finds certain STEM coursetaking in high school relates to the choice of a STEM major in college or to entering the skilled technical workforce among students who transition directly to work.
Continue Reading >Science and Technology: Public Attitudes, Knowledge, and Interest
May 2020
This report examines indicators of U.S. public attitudes and understanding of science and technology (S&T), public concern about S&T issues, and public knowledge of basic S&T facts. The report identifies high-level trends and patterns, some of which are examined by selected demographics of the U.S. public. It also makes comparisons between the United States and other countries, including China, in public attitudes, support for public funding of science, and S&T knowledge. The report finds that nearly three-quarters of Americans in 2018 saw more benefits than harm from science, and 84% supported federal funding of basic research.
Continue Reading >Publications Output: U.S. Trends and International Comparisons
December 2019
This report presents data on peer-reviewed S&E journals and conference proceedings reflecting the rapidly expanding volume of research activity, the involvement and scientific capabilities different countries, and the expanding research ecosystem demonstrated through international collaborations. Publication output grew about 4% annually over the past 10 years. China and India grew more than the world average, while the United States and European Union grew less than the world average. Research papers from the United States and EU countries had higher impact scores. International collaborations have increased over the past 10 years.
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