The Beijing results are now in for the annual survey of public scientific knowledge. This year 6.6 percent of those surveyed in Beijing “qualified” by answering most of the questions correctly. This compares with just 1.4 percent nationally in 2001.
Some 4,000 people aged from 18 to 69 were questioned. To undertake the survey, researchers visited people in their homes under the auspices of the Beijing Municipal Association of Science and Technology and 3,607 valid responses were generated.
The questionnaire included more than 60 questions divided into three areas. These were Understanding Science & Technology, Scientific Research Methods and the Social Effects of Science & Technology.
Though some questions were well answered, only 38 percent of people knew that Albert Einstein was a physicist. About 71 percent failed to identify the originator of the periodic table of elements. A mere 9 percent knew that Wu Wenjun, the first winner of China’s top science and technology award, was a mathematician.
Turning to knowledge of science in daily life, 30 percent were not clear that hot air rises and cool air falls. About 20 percent of people were unsure when asked if the moon shone on itself.
In Beijing, people are enthusiastic about science and technology and optimistic for its future development. “Technician” was identified as a preferred job title by 58 percent. Some 86 percent believed that China might land on the Moon in 10 years, and 87 percent are confident that mankind may cure cancer and AIDS in 10 years.
In Beijing, people are well informed on environmental matters and 81 percent knew the causes of sandstorms. About 55 percent said they were particularly interested in reports on environmental protection matters.
(china.org.cn by Feng Yikun, July 9, 2002)
