How Americans see the future of space exploration, 50 years after the first moon landing
Most Americans think sending astronauts to Mars or the moon should be a lower priority for NASA – or say it should not be done at all.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Science
-
-
A growing number of American teenagers – particularly girls – are facing depression
Depression is rising among American teenagers, and teen girls are particularly likely to have had recent depressive episodes.
-
For World Population Day, a look at the countries with the biggest projected gains – and losses – by 2100
Four of the 10 most populous countries will no longer be among the top 10 in 2100 – and all four will be supplanted by rapidly growing African nations.
-
About one-in-six U.S. teachers work second jobs – and not just in the summer
Classes have ended for the summer at U.S. public schools, but a sizable share of teachers are still hard at work at second jobs outside the classroom.
-
Only 2% of federal criminal defendants went to trial in 2018, and most who did were found guilty
Trials are rare in the federal criminal justice system: Just 2% of criminal defendants went to trial in fiscal 2018. Acquittals are even rarer.
-
From police to parole, black and white Americans differ widely in their views of criminal justice system
Attitudes vary considerably by race on issues including crime, policing, the death penalty, parole decisions and voting rights.
-
The gap between the number of blacks and whites in prison is shrinking
Blacks have long outnumbered whites in U.S. prisons. But a significant decline in the number of black prisoners has narrowed the gap.
-
What Americans Know About Science
Many Americans can answer at least some questions about science concepts. Science knowledge levels remain strongly tied to education; Republicans and Democrats are about equally knowledgeable.
-
Science Knowledge Quiz
Test your knowledge of science facts and applications of scientific principles by taking our 11-question quiz, then compare your answers to the average American and across demographic groups.
-
Science knowledge varies by race and ethnicity in U.S.
About half of whites correctly answered at least nine of 11 science-related questions, compared with much smaller shares of Hispanics and blacks.
