Smithsonian-Gallup Study Uncovers Gaps in How US Science Standards Are Preparing Students To Meet Sustainability Challenges of the Future
A new study by the Smithsonian and Gallup Inc. found that the science standards in U.S. K–12 classrooms overlook several key areas related to sustainable development. In addition, interviews with teachers, administrators, parents and students not only revealed the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating sustainability in the classroom, but what type of support organizations like the Smithsonian can provide.
In a previous global survey released in 2023, Smithsonian educators, in collaboration with Gallup Inc., found that U.S. teachers believe in the importance of teaching about sustainable development, but feel the curriculum is missing in their classrooms and that they have less support, time and expertise to incorporate sustainable development into their classrooms, relative to their global peers. In this follow-up study, the Smithsonian and Gallup aimed to better understand how science standards in the U.S. do (or do not) align with sustainable development topics ascribed by the U.N.
For the new study, conducted in February 2024, the Smithsonian and Gallup ran a landscape analysis of U.S. standards and compared them to UNESCO’s global standards for learning. They also conducted qualitative interviews with 22 teachers, 10 parent-student dyads and eight administrators to better understand what sort of assistance they are looking for from organizations like the Smithsonian when teaching about sustainability in schools.
The surveys found that state science standards in the U.S. generally concentrate on natural sciences and on building knowledge and thinking skills in topics such as biodiversity and clean energy. It also found that states vary widely in their approach to teaching about sustainability, including topics such as climate action and sustainable communities, and they are often missing opportunities to spur students to use their knowledge to improve their communities. The report highlights state science standards from California, Pennsylvania and Texas as examples. Respondents also expressed a desire for incorporating cross-disciplinary topics into existing classes, as well as a need for resources and expertise from scientific, cultural and educational organizations.
“Building on previous research we conducted on educating for sustainable development, we are continuing our commitment to listening to the voices responsible for implementing these topics in classrooms aligned with state standards,” said Carol O’Donnell, the Douglas M. Lapp and Anne B. Keiser Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center. “Parents, students, teachers and administrators expressed a strong desire to implement sustainable development topics into lessons, and with this study, the Smithsonian can work to build our resources to overcome barriers and drive student engagement to solve real-world issues.”
“We are uniquely positioned to draw on the expertise and knowledge at the Smithsonian to create a solution to tackle these global challenges,” said Carla Easter, the Broh-Kahn Weil Director of Education at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. “The STEAM Education Working Group intends to lift up educators and students and support education for sustainable development in the future.”
In partnership with Gallup, this study was conducted as part of the Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: Life on a Sustainable Planet initiative by the Smithsonian’s STEAM Education Working Group, made up of STEAM educators across the Smithsonian.
About the Smithsonian Science Education Center
The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is transforming K–12 Education Through Science in collaboration with communities across the globe. The SSEC is nationally and internationally recognized for the quality of its programs and its impact on K–12 science education. The Smithsonian Science for Global Goals community research guides for youth are just one example of high-quality and pre-vetted materials to save teachers time and connect them to the background knowledge they need to teach about sustainability. Visit the SSEC website and follow SSEC on LinkedIn, Instagram, X and Facebook.
About the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History
The National Museum of Natural History is connecting people everywhere with Earth’s unfolding story. It is one of the most visited natural history museums in the world. Opened in 1910, the museum is dedicated to maintaining and preserving the world’s most extensive collection of natural history specimens and human artifacts. The museum is open daily, except Dec. 25, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit the museum on its website, blog, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
About the Smithsonian’s Life on a Sustainable Planet Initiative
Life on a Sustainable Planet is the Smithsonian’s initiative to collect new data about our changing planet, implement holistic approaches to environmental conservation and educate the world about why and how sustainable solutions to climate change can benefit people and nature. Life on a Sustainable Planet uses the Institution’s vast scientific resources across its global network of research centers to produce, curate and communicate strategies for adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
The Institution will also pioneer new technologies to collect environmental data, develop new platforms to analyze and share data and work with partners and communities to inform conservation action. Life on a Sustainable Planet is part of the Smithsonian’s commitment to working with communities to promote equitable, sustainable and resilient ecosystem solutions to build a more sustainable future for all.
About Gallup
For over 85 years, Gallup has been researching topics that matter most to the world and helping shape the future of education. Gallup is committed to improving high-quality educational experiences and student success.
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