Eight students from the Denver School of Science and Technology got to question Sally Ride, America’s first female astronaut, as part of a recent White House initiative to improve math and science education.
Via video, the students peppered Ride with questions such as “What class in high school prepared you the best for space?” and “Why do you think so many kids worry about math and are scared of it?” Students involved in National Geographic Kids also participated.
The talk took place Sept. 16 when President Obama launched Change the Equation, an effort led by CEOs “to increase private and philanthropic involvement” in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math or STEM education, according to its website.
“America’s problem with math … may be indicative of a deeper cultural norm,” the site notes:
According to a survey commissioned by CTEq, nearly three in ten adults believe they are not good at math. The problem is especially acute in younger Americans. More than half of Americans aged 18 to 36 admit that they often find themselves saying they can’t do math. Americans’ attitudes toward math were so negative that thirty percent would prefer cleaning the bathroom to doing a math problem.
Click in the video above to see it in its entirety or go here to see the list of questions and specific responses from Ride.
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