According to a Pew Research study conducted in 2015, the public and scientists often see subjects that highlight U.S. scientific achievements and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education in many ways.

Student researcher and senior Abhinav Ramkumar said U.S. STEM achievement is above average compared to the rest of the world because many scientific developments are contributed by immigrants.

“I believe that the main reason for achievement in STEM is due to the types of students and parents who immigrate and get accepted into top institutions,” Ramkumar said via email.

Science teacher Daniel Marble said he agreed the United States is above average in scientific achievements due to the attraction of research facilities and schools here.

“If you look at science education in the United States, it’s still the top and the best, so people who want to become a scientist or want to do the best research, they’re still pretty much all coming (to the United States). If you go to graduate schools, it’s very full of foreign students trying to learn from us,” Marble said.

Science enthusiast and senior Nathan Fei said it is difficult to rank countries due to strengths in various subjects, but still said he agrees the United States is above average in scientific achievement. However, he said he has other opinions on STEM education.

“From the perspective of the world, the U.S. is above average. However, when only looking at developed countries, the U.S. would probably be less than average in STEM,” Fei said.

According to Pew Research, this view is not unusual. Only 29 percent of the American public thinks the U.S. STEM education is above average in the world. Despite this, Marble said there are both benefits and negatives of American programs.

Marble said, “America is a relatively big country, so there’s a benefit (from that) because there’s all these new things and opportunities that people have. It’s also a drawback because there’s a lot of people who also get left out of scientific progress and the ability to go to schools.”

There are still views on scientific topics that cause conflict between scientists and the public.