As a scientist, I am often disturbed by the igonorance or general lack of understanding of what we do as scientists. This is especially telling in situatuons like science education. Here's a great essay in the New York Times today regarding this topic.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/15/science/sciencespecial2/15essa.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=login
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Rb

Thanks for the information

Yeah its a bit of an eye opener

Rb

check out www.tryengineering.org

Very interesting

A lot of education at the middle school to highschool level doesn't quite keep up with the technology. I understand the basics are needed as a base for higher level molecular/cellular biology, for example. Standardized testing and a lack of more specific 'major' type classes or topics don't seem to sustain interest in the the sciences.