Margaret Wertheim (LAT): Let's Shoot for Quality Teachers, Not for Mars

[Dudley_DUright]

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In February, a delegation from the Pasadena-based Planetary Society delivered a presentation to members of Congress titled "Mars: a New World for Humankind." In making its pitch for an all-out effort to explore the Red Planet, the society was hoping to push along the agenda set last year by President Bush when he promised a manned return to the moon by 2015, if possible, and 2020 at the latest. Even more ambitiously, the president declared that the moon would become our staging post for manned missions to Mars.

But trips off-planet do not come cheap. The cost of a manned Mars mission has been conservatively estimated at $100 billion, though seasoned observers believe it will be many times that figure.

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If we really want to inspire our kids "to study math and science and engineering," as the president proposes, by far the most effective means would be to ensure that they have good math and science teachers.

Looking to the future, the National Science Foundation has identified the shortage of qualified teachers as a major bottleneck in the nation's science and technology infrastructure. According to a 2003 report by the Council of Chief State School Officers, nearly one-third of math and science teachers are over the age of 50. During the next decade, most of them will retire.

Who will fill the gap when they are gone?

more...

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-wertheim7mar07,0,1025960.story?coll=la-news-comment-opinions


As a scientist and a teacher, and the husband of a teacher, I heartly endorse this editorial. Of course, it will never happen as long as BuschCo is in charge.

[Silverhair]

1. Mars can wait. There is no hurry. It isn't going anywhere.

What is with all this rush to get to Mars? Let it wait until technology improves more. In a few decades Mars will still be there, but computer & programming technology will be so improved that we could send intelligent robots for a fraction the cost and they would do a better job.