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 well-being of people by supporting projects in three primary areas:
*
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.
