The Challenge of Improving Science Literacy Science educators already face enormous challenges, and these will become even greater in the coming years. Science faculty exert a tremendous effort to publish, to secure funding from shrinking sources, to keep up with technological advances, and to stay informed of ever increasing bodies of knowledge. Evaluation for tenure and promotion is measured in terms of publications and grants. Quality teaching is not generally rewarded, perhaps because it is more difficult to quantify or does not bring the same level of prestige to an institution. In my opinion, the greatest challenge facing science educators is to improve the science literacy of the general public.
Scientists are generally better at preparing students who want to become scientists.
They remind us of ourselves years ago. These students are already motivated to learn science. The greater challenge is to motivate and educate non-science students. These students are much more work. Their math skills and science preparation are often limited.