Why Don’t More People Know This?

The fact that Earth orbits the Sun is a long-established fact.  Yet, for some reason that I don’t completely understand, 1 in 4 of my compatriots here in the U.S. do NOT know this. How do I know this?  The National Science Foundation surveyed Americans about their attitudes toward science and technology. You can read an especially relevant chapter of the report they made here. (PDF)

I’m still reading the chapter closely, but I am concerned that the survey is really giving us a broad-brush look at general attitudes. Still, with that caveat, it does bother me quite a bit that 1 in 4 people don’t know a simple fact that has been proven time and again. Or that a huge number of people have some belief in astrology and/or confuse it with the science of astronomy.

The question I have to ask here is, “How could this be possible?”  I’m open to discussion on this, particularly from those who do science outreach (like me), or are involved in science education.  What’s the deal here?

Just before this report came out, the NSF released another one called “U.S. Lead in Science and Technology Shrinking”. Taken together (and I am NOT suggesting causal links between the two), it makes me wonder if we are failing our students and ourselves when it comes to science understanding.  Again, I’m open to discussion on this. Feel free to comment (I moderate comments, so keep it professional and respectful).