Too many people think they need to be a rocket scientist in order to become a rocket scientist, said a new survey on global attitudes toward science commissioned by the 3M Company.
The survey found that nearly four in 10 people believe that only geniuses can succeed in science careers. That result is one among several that troubles leaders at Maplewood-based 3M, because they said such misconceptions can discourage people from trying or sharing new ideas.
Scientific progress requires "creativity and fresh attitudes and new ways to look at problems," said Dr. Jayshree Seth, 3M's newly appointed chief science advocate. "I don't think anybody has a monopoly on good ideas," she said.
Seth cited the example of a teenager in Africa who came up with ways to harvest fog and convert it into usable water in drought-stricken areas.
In unveiling results of its State of Science survey, 3M invited astronaut Scott Kelly to speak about the breadth of people needed to achieve breakthroughs.
Kelly said he was a bad, unmotivated student until he stopped at a college bookstore at age 18 to buy gum, and instead walked out with a copy of "The Right Stuff," Tom Wolfe's bestseller about the first American astronauts.
"That book was absolutely pivotal for me," he said. "Eighteen years after I read that book, at 36, I was flying in space for the first time."
Kelly's four spaceflights included a yearlong mission on the International Space Station and three spacewalks.