Nanjing’s women know more about science; the Cultural Revolution lingers on; over half of Nanjing opposes genetic modification; our phones teach us science. These are the most important revelations to emerge from the Nanjing’s Scientific Literacy Survey for the year if 2013, published on 24th February, 2014 by the local government. The survey was conducted from July to December last year in the city’s 11 districts with 1500 respondents in total.
According to the survey results, Nanjing’s population with scientific literacy equals 8.53 percent; in other words, only 8 to 9 people in 100 fulfill the lowest requirements to be classed as scientifically literate, i.e. understanding scientific concepts enough to be able to participate in certain aspects of society. This year marked the 4th survey of this nature and an increase by 1.53 percentage points of the scientifically literate population in Nanjing compared to the last survey conducted in 2010. During the first survey in 2005, the percentage only reached 3 percent, meaning that throughout the last eight years the number of people who qualify for the basic level has almost tripled.
Still, in the international comparison local residents are lagging behind. In the US, the figure is three times as high at 28 percent, based on a survey conducted in 2008. The current level of Nanjing corresponds to that of America in the 1990s, a comparison that suggests the local education system has some catching up to do.
Chinese media is illustrating the low degree of scientific knowledge by asking readers whether they are able to answer the following two questions lifted from the survey:
- Is moonlight produced by the moon?
- Is hybrid rice genetically modified?
These are examples of this year’s questionnaire a sizeable number of Nanjingers did not answer correctly.
The survey further revealed a link between people’s interest in news and their knowledge of science, suggesting a close link between regular news consumption and extended scientific knowledge.
Girl Power; Nanjing’s Women Know More Science
This year’s survey results leaves the fair gender with a renewed sweet aftertaste of victory as the numbers suggest that Nanjing’s women are more knowledgeable in the field of science than their male counterparts. The female ratio of scientifically literate population reached 8.56 percent, while the men lagged behind by 0.07 percentage points, settling at a scientific literacy ratio of 8.49 percent. Three out of the four surveys saw Nanjing’s women leading in the field of science, therefore this year’s victory does not come as a great surprise. What is remarkable, is the fact that this female lead seems to be a local phenomenon exclusive to Nanjing; whereas in other cities it is usually the men who win the survey race.
Grave Generational Gap; Aftereffects of the Cultural Revolution
While the difference in performance between genders is rather minimal, extensive difference exist within the different age groups, which considering historical events is rather unsurprising. The literacy rate in the scientific realm was lowest amongst 55 to 69 year olds, where it reached a mere 3.68 percent; among 40 to 54-year-olds the rate was already higher at 6.01 percent. Both of these age groups were affected by the Cultural Revolution and the related closing down of educational institutions, explaining these low numbers. Participants of the youngest group, ranging from 18 to 39 years scored a rather more impressive 14.92 percent scientific literacy rate, illustrating the improving educational situation of more recent decades.
Over half of Nanjing’s residents oppose genetic modification
The survey further looked into attitudes of the local population towards genetic modification, nuclear power and low-carbon technology. The results show a population that places importance on nature. 59.13 percent of participants do not support genetic modification of any kind, while four out of ten people check whether the food products they purchase have been genetically tampered with and almost a third of Nanjingers refuse to purchase any modified products.
Environmentally speaking, this survey has revealed a deeply caring Nanjing population. A reassuring 80 percent of respondents answered the supported or fully supported low-carbon technology, making it the most popular of the three technology types in the survey. A staggering 88.71 percent of locals feel that every one of us can contribute to stop climate change; simultaneously 81.28 percent of participants describe their own behavior as “always” or “often” protective of the environment.
Drastic increase in scientific information distribution via mobile phones
In the last survey four years ago, the option of mobile phones as a medium for transmitting scientific information was not even included. However, the last for years has seen the numbers of Nanjingers who use their portable telecommunication devices to access science-related information soar to new heights. 26.54 respondents, more than one in four, now use their mobile gadgets to learn about science.
Television and newspapers remain the leading media for residents to receive scientific facts, with 81.52 percent tuning into the former and 72.72 percent unfolding the latter for their dose of science.
The results of the 2013 Scientific Literacy Survey have definitely painted a very interesting picture of the Nanjing population, revealing a young generation of technophiles striving towards previously unseen levels of scientific knowledge. As is common knowledge the speed of Chinese development is unrivaled; therefore it might be only a matter of time until the world’s largest population catches up scientifically.
