Making Science Make Sense

Bayer Facts of Science Education Survey

Key Findings

• The majority of executives surveyed (83%) were aware of the reports and warnings from the National Science Foundation, the National Science Board, and others prior to taking this survey. Nearly the same amount (78%) are concerned that the United States is in danger of losing its predominance in science and technology.
  

• The majority (57%) of executives surveyed are concerned about their company's ability to attract and retain the qualified employees that they need to remain competitive. A near majority (45%) indicate that there is an underrepresentation of women and minorities in their STEM workforce. The remaining 55% believe it does not exist. However, just one in six (16%) of all CEOs surveyed say underrepresentation is a manpower issue.
  

• Executives surveyed are more inclined to say that underrepresentation of women and minorities exists in their industry (65%) than in their company (45%).
  

• The three-quarters (74%) of executives surveyed who believe a diverse workforce is beneficial are equally split between thinking it is "very" or just "somewhat" beneficial to the success of their company (both 37%).
  
  
• One quarter (25%) of the surveyed executives say that having a diverse workforce would enable diversity of ideas, perspectives, skills, and solutions (25%). Conversely, one in eight (13%) stepped outside the frame of the question, saying that it is more important to pick the most qualified person for the job instead of choosing due to race, sex, etc.
  
  
• At the same time, three in five executives surveyed (61%) are concerned about their competitors in other countries having access to scientific and technical talent that will give them a competitive advantage.
  

• The vast majority (96%) of executives surveyed indicate the importance ('very' or 'somewhat') of all employees, technical and non-technical alike, having a baseline level of science literacy Ð a general knowledge of science, mathematics, and technology in order to understand information, solve problems, and make decisions.
  

• Executives surveyed give an average grade of C to the U.S. education system for how well it is doing providing U.S. companies with diverse and talented graduates who have the skills to be successful in today's STEM careers. They assign an average grade of C+ to the U.S. higher education system for how well it does in training women and minorities for STEM careers.
  
  
• A majority of executives surveyed (56%) feel that today's colleges and universities have STEM courses that adequately prepare students for today's workplace realities.
  
  
• Executives surveyed assign an average grade of C- to the U.S. pre-college education system for how well it does in engaging and nurturing girls and minorities for STEM careers.
  

• Four in five (81%) executives surveyed feel that science should be given the same emphasis as reading, writing, and math.
  
  
• Roughly the same number of executives surveyed (82%) believe the most effective method for teaching science to students is to have them conduct hands-on experiments, form opinions, and discuss and defend their conclusions with others.
  

• Over four in five (83%) executives surveyed agree that STEM companies have a role to play in ensuring that women and minorities succeed in science and engineering fields.
  
  
• The vast majority feel it is important for STEM companies to support pre-college science education programs (91%), as well as agreeing that direct contact with scientists and engineers is an effective way to help students better appreciate careers in science and engineering (98%).
  
  
• The vast majority (96%) of executives surveyed also think that in order to eliminate underrepresentation it is important ('very' or 'somewhat') that girls and minorities receive a strong science and math education beginning in elementary school.
  

• Over one-third (37%) of executives surveyed indicate their company or employees participate in pre-college education programs that attract, encourage, and sustain girls' and minority students' interest in math and science. Of those who do not currently participate, over one-half (56%) are interested in doing so.
  

• In a recent survey, U.S. parents said it is very important for today's science and technology companies to communicate the message to today's students, including women and minorities, that there are significant job opportunities for them in STEM fields. However, over one-half (53%) of executives surveyed believe that their company does not effectively communicate this message, while only one-third (32%) believe theirs does.
  

• Three-quarters (77%) of the companies surveyed do not have any specific programs in place to recruit women and minority STEM workers. However, one in five (21%) do. Of those who do have these programs in place, the highest proportion have targeted recruiting towards minorities and a diverse workplace (48%) and also have internships, co-ops, and outreach programs with colleges and universities (43%).
  

• Three in five (59%) executives surveyed believe their company does an excellent job ensuring that women and minorities receive appropriate promotions, raises, and recognition. One-third (35%) think they can do better.
  
  
• The vast majority (91%) of executives surveyed feel it is important that women and minorities hold senior management positions within STEM companies so that younger female and minority employees have aspirational role models and mentors.
  
  
• Three-quarters (74%) of executives surveyed are not frustrated by their company's difficulty in hiring women and minorities for STEM positions.
  
  
• Their biggest challenges in hiring women and minorities for STEM positions are the limited number applying for the positions (45%) and the limited number who are qualified for these positions (35%).