Maintaining the health of our earth and finding ways to improve the health and well-being of all her peoples is increasingly dependent on an understanding of science and applying this knowledge to solving the world’s problems.
This is not a minor issue: more than six billion people live on our small planet. About 10 percent of those—777 million according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization—are undernourished, a condition linked to poverty, education, and other essential factors of development.
While there is general recognition that understanding and prudent application of science is key to our planet’s future, in a worldwide comparison of the mathematics and science achievements of fourth graders, the U.S. ranked only 12th among 25 countries participating.* This is of concern because science education gives people not only a basic understanding of today’s most important issues, but also enhances their reasoning and critical thinking skills.
Monsanto Fund seeks to improve the earth’s ecosystem—including clean water, clean air, productive land and thriving biodiversity—and the well-being of her people by supporting projects in four primary areas:
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The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2003 carried out by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), an international organization of national research institutions and governmental research agencies.
