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Ordinarily I ignore and wouldn't deign to reply to comments like the OPers final comment:
"Perhaps a sad reflection on the teaching of Science/Math in our schools"
However, not this time. Peter, have you actually taught Mathematics and Science? Did you write your comment from an informed position, or was it flippant and off the cuff? Did you stop to consider that maybe the reporter concerned did not pursue their study of mathematics and/or science beyond the middle years at secondary school, and that these subjects in particular were not their strongest suits? What support and encouragement for their schoolwork was provided to them at home?
I am one of 'those' Maths/Science teachers that you have just so glibly dished out on. For the past thirty years I have had the responsibility and privilege to work in a classroom and try to inspire and teach each every one of my students. Do I always succeed? Sadly no. Along with my colleagues in other subject areas we try our best to not only teach our students the basic skills in our subject areas, but also the skills that will help them to be able to learn for themselves once they have left school.
Sometimes it seems that because everyone one of us has been a student in a classroom we all know what it's like to be on the 'other side' of the teacher's desk.
So Peter please forgive me if I've come across as being overly terse and surly in my reply to your post, but today I just couldn't let it slide by. I've just spent several hours today writing a science test, correcting my student's physics tests and then planned for tomorrow's lessons. Friday night I missed the opportunity to watch my daughter play in a basketball final. Why? Because I put my hand up to be the organiser at my school to be part of the World Record Star Gazing attempt. With the help of several of my colleagues over 150 students and their parents had a great night looking at the Moon, Saturn and the Jewel Box. For many of them it was their first experience of a 'star party' and observing the night sky through a telescope. Who knows, one day one or more of them might decide to pursue a career in Astronomy. And if they do, maybe, just maybe I will have had a small part to play in that decision - and that is why I chose teaching as a career.
Usually I find the posts (and posters) on this forum to be a source of encouragement and inspiration - but sadly not so today. :-(
Paul
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