Military

DATE=5/24/02

TYPE=English Feature

NUMBER=7-36333

TITLE=TERRORISM AND SCIENCE

BYLINE=Zlatica Hoke

TELEPHONE=202-619-0935

DATELINE=Washington

EDITOR=vicki swaney

CONTENT=

_

INTRO: Many Americans see a new role for science and technology in the war against terrorism. Many also predict a growing job market in the field of homeland security. A recent Gallup poll reveals many college students have reconsidered their career choices after the September eleven attacks. Zlatica Hoke reports.

TEXT: The new survey sponsored by the Bayer Corporation indicates that many American college students believe science and technology are critical in preventing future terrorist attacks. Rebecca Lucore [pron: LOO-core], the executive director of the Bayer Corporation's Foundation for promoting science, says a significant number of students say they are altering their career plans as a result of the terrorist attacks on their country.

TAPE CUT ONE -- LUCORE:

"They believe that these homeland security fields now are opening up new opportunities because we are now relying on new sophisticated high-tech tools and the different hi-tech mechanisms that the military is now using."

TEXT: Rebecca Lucore says about ten percent of the respondents report they are seriously considering new opportunities, including the military and intelligence fields. Caitlyn Yeykal [pron: YAH-kel], who is majoring in biology and professional writing at Carlow College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is one of them.

TAPE CUT TWO -- YAYKEL:

"I had originally intended being a science writer and now I am really thinking more along the lines of research, or working at the CDC -- Centers for Disease Control (in Atlanta, Georgia) or something like that."

TEXT: Respondents estimate that about ten percent of their fellow classmates are rethinking their career plans as well. Caitlyn Yaykel says she thinks younger students at her college are more likely to change their course of study than senior students.

TAPE CUT THREE -- YAYKEL:

"I am getting ready to graduate and not a lot of my immediate peers have considered (a change). Probably, especially the science majors -- they are still going to stay within their field, but have considered something more along the lines of joining the CDC or going into research. But a lot of the underclassmen I've heard -- they asked on the survey what percent (of the students are reconsidering their career path) and I said probably about ten percent or less -- but I've heard people talking more along these lines, but more like the 18, 19, 20-year olds."

TEXT: But do the students feel ready to enter these new high-tech homeland security fields? Eight in ten say yes, they were taught enough math and science in secondary schools to be able to pursue high-tech careers. But seven in ten also say science and math should be strengthened for the next generation of students.

Most of the college students participating in the Gallup Poll say it is important for average Americans to be scientifically literate in order to understand and deal with terrorist attacks, including bio-terrorism, nuclear weapons and cyber terrorism. Caitlyn Yakel says she thinks science students at her college are more interested in discussing high-tech methods of fighting terrorism than those majoring in the arts and literature.

TAPE CUT FOUR -- YAYKEL:

"I know all over my science department, there are bulletins posted everywhere about Anthrax and, like, its germination process and what you can do to prevent it and that kind of thing, because it is a biology department. And in my classes, I hear people talking more along those lines: about what could you do to prevent that or what kind of vaccine (you could use) - those kinds of things."

TEXT: But while science students say that being knowledgeable in science is important to them, more than one third of non-science majors respond that being "science literate" is not critical. Rebecca Lucore of the Bayer Foundation says this is disconcerting because science literacy includes some of the most essential working skills.

TAPE CUT FIVE -- LUCORE:

"(Having)science literacy is being able to do what a scientist would do, to think through things critically, to be able to solve unforeseen problems, to be able to work in a team, to be able to adapt to change. And these are all skills that you learn through your science courses."

TEXT: Rebecca Lucore cited a previous Bayer survey of work place managers who said science literacy and its associated skills -- critical thinking, problem solving and team working --are important for all types of workers, regardless of the industry. The latest Gallup poll, surveying one thousand students across the United States, is part of the Bayer Corporation's initiative called Making Science Make Sense. Its goal is to advance science literacy in the nation through hands-on science learning, employee volunteerism and public education.