Gen Z is officially breaking up with science, and it’s not looking good. According to the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress, our nation’s eighth graders are saying “nope” to scientific curiosity faster than you can say “climate change”.

The numbers are brutal. Science test scores have plummeted to 2009 levels, dropping 4 points on a 300-point scale between 2019 and 2024. But it’s not just about test scores – students are straight-up losing interest in science.

The Pandemic’s Scientific Nightmare

Remember those awkward Zoom science classes where sharing lab equipment was a pandemic no-go? That totally crushed the hands-on learning experience. Jessica Sawko from Children Now points out that science became the forgotten subject while everyone panicked about reading and math.

Who’s Falling Behind?

The data reveals some seriously concerning trends. Girls are getting hit harder, with their science scores dropping 5 points compared to boys’ 3-point drop. Asian American students are the only racial group showing gains, while other groups are seeing significant declines.

The Reality Check

Less than a third of eighth graders scored at or above “proficient,” and more than a third scored below “basic”. We’re talking about students who might not even understand that plants need sunlight to grow. Yikes.

The percentage of students enjoying science activities has nosedived from 52% to 42%, and those interested in science class dropped from 47% to 39%. Looks like the future of scientific innovation is about to get real interesting – and not in a good way.