Part of the equation of getting kids interested in science and math is to start them when they are young and then cultivate that interest as the progress through school. Exposure to the great variety of science, engineering, math, and technology disciplines is key. IF a student doesn’t know about something how would they know if they develop an interest that could lead them towards perusing a career in that field? Catch the Science Bug, is a non-profit, which expose children to different scientists and the related concepts via their website, hands-on teaching programs, and PBS Rhode Island series.

As a boy, my interest in math and science was greatly elevated by occasional trips to the LA Museum of Science and Industry and the Griffith Park Observatory. All of the hands-on exhibits made math and science much more real to me and allowed me to visualize the underlying principles. Plus it was fun! Even back in the 60's it seemed that very few parents ever bothered to take their kids to places like these museums, and with constant budget cut-backs over the years, the number of school field trips and the museums themselves have steadily shrunk as well. Teachers and parents need to get their young learners out more often to places where they can get these kinds of hands-on experiences. For starters, the nation needs more science and industry museums, not less.

I was always interested in math and science. Some of my teachers were helpful, others were not. In particular, one teacher helped me learn to do 4 digit multiplication and division "in my head", but the very next school year, a teacher insisted it was impossible for a 110 year old to do that and single me out, making me write out all arithmatic in the longest way possible.

Teachers (and parents) need to encourage gifted children, but more and more, they are holding them back. In today's high school science class rooms, schools do not let students do hands-on science (unlike when I was in high school, where we did some things that were potentially quite dangerous).

The unspoken message that today's schools are giving children is that science is too dangerous for ordinary people.

Also, if the government is truly serious about more science and math teachers, they would make it a whole lot easier for scienists and engineers to become teachers. When I eventually retire, I would like the opportunity to become a science/math teacher, but sadly, it looks like it will be even harder then.

What about a 21st century World's Fair with a focus on technology and practical application of the sciences made tangible and compelling for all?