Save Our Science: How to Inspire a New Generation of Scientists

by Ainissa Ramirez

In Save Our Science: How to Inspire a New Generation of Scientists, long time Yale professor Ainissa Ramirez makes an impassioned call for a recommitment to improve science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education in our schools and throughout our society. She describes what habits we need to change to make STEM fun again, as well as a plan for how to increase every child's participation in these disciplines. The 21st century requires a new kind of learner -- not someone who can simply churn out answers by rote, as has been done in the past, but a student who can think expansively and solve problems resourcefully. In order to solve the complex problems of tomorrow, the traditional academic skills of reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic must be replaced with creativity, curiosity, critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration skills -- skills inherent in scientific research.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction

66 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2013

About the author

Ainissa Ramirez, PhD, loves science. When she was little, Ainissa got the idea of becoming a scientist from her favorite public television show "3-2-1 Contact." This put her on a path to get degrees in materials science from Brown and Stanford universities, and later work as a research scientist at Bell Labs and as a professor at Yale.

Ainissa not only loves science, she loves to share science with others. She has written for Forbes, Time, Science, The Atlantic, American Scientist, and Scientific American. She’s explained science on CBS, CNN, NPR, and PBS. She also speaks on the topics of science and technology and gave a TED talk on the importance of STEM education. She is the author of several books, including the award-winning title “The Alchemy of Us” (MIT Press). Ainissa has a new picture book coming out in October 2025 that celebrates a hidden figure in science, "SPARK: Jim West's Electrifying Adventures in Creating the Microphone" (Candlewick Press).

Reviews

[John Michael Strubhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having spent 35 years teaching STEM curriculum, this is something I'm very concerned about. Read this if you're preparing to be a STEM educator of if you're already one, but you've not given much thought about the importance of what you're doing. If you're not educating about science and its importance to civilization, because it's just not your thing, then recommend it to those you go to for science.

[Pratik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good idea on how we can improve the education system

[Timothy Finucane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good look at how we have failed our children with the current educational system that makes schools focus on teaching to the test, specifically the standardized ones given to students each year. It further exposes the fact that this has been made even worse by removing much of the science from the tests, which in turn causes schools focused on these tests to eliminate science programs from their curriculum. And what causes schools to focus on the tests? The fact that their financial packages are directly tied to it.

Ainissa Ramirez uses all of this information to show how we are failing to produce the next generation of children who can take us to the moon, or cure the worst diseases. We simply do not have enough children going into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields to fill the needs our current technological society needs. While they are busy texting away on their smart phones, too many of them have no idea how they really work under the plastic shell.

But, while Ainissa notes that removing the focus on standardized tests will be difficult to do and require much effort, there are things we as a society can do now to counter the effects. She goes on to set out a list of things we can do to show kids that science is exciting.

If there is one point of the book I disagree with, it would be where Ainissa mentions paying teachers based on performance; I fear that that would actually continue to focus on the standardized tests.

If you have kids and care about their future this is a must read book.

[Olivia Benson · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I agree with many of the assertions and intentions behind the book, I found some of the suggestions misguided. One of the author's recommendations for improving STEM education was to pay teachers based on performance, not years worked. Yet, it's easy to see in a post-NCLB education world, that the assessments we are using are doing far more harm than good. There's also no discussion of how access to stem education can be more attainable for students in underprivileged areas. And the author seems to think that more girls will come to STEM careers if we simply start saying girls are good at science. Never does she discuss the possibility of teaching in a more gender equitable format. I also think this book would have benefitted from a discussion of modeling or inquiry pedagogies. I think the way teachers teach science and math, more than videos at Walmart or mall-exhibits, is what will ultimately bring students to science and maintain their innate curiosity.

It was a nice read, but ultimately lacking. I just found the suggestions to be shallow. This book was more of a vocalization of a vague idea rather than an assertion of a problem and solution.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read and thought provoking for not only educators, but also parents and community members!

[Ollie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good ideas on how to promote and foster STEM education, though I wish there were more specifics for parents.

[Lita O'neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't have said it better myself!

[Rick Yvanovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read - a little frightening how STEM has been sidelined and for the silliest of reasons.

[Julie Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read. Yes it is written for the USA but it's interesting from a British perspective