Cleveland Museum of Natural History Sponsors National Poll on Science
Cleveland, OH—September 15, 2021—With crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and disasters caused by climate change dominating headlines and people’s lives—and at a time when the American public is deeply divided on a broad range of issues—a new national poll developed by the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and conducted by the Marist Poll reveals that a vast majority of Americans trust science and think public understanding of scientific information is necessary.
The poll shows:
“The Cleveland Museum of Natural History sponsored this survey to advance our mission to promote scientific literacy and empower individuals with the tools they need to engage meaningfully on issues of human health, climate change, protecting the natural environment, and other vital challenges,” said Sonia Winner, President & CEO of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. “While Americans have traditionally trusted science, in the face of an ongoing international pandemic and polarized public opinion on so many issues, we needed to know if that trust still held. The resounding response from the public is yes.”
The survey also showed that the majority of Americans perceive the natural world is changing for the worse and that these changes affect their lives.
These opinions all align with the evidence the scientific community has gathered, and tested, on these issues.
The survey also reveals a lack in basic understanding of scientific concepts but—more important—a desire to learn about science.
Formal education helps, but does not guarantee scientific knowledge. Only 40% of college graduates correctly answered that the human body is composed of elements such as stardust from the ancient Universe. College graduates are divided (49% to 49%) about whether or not most species on the Earth have yet to be discovered. And nearly one in five college graduates (17%) is not able to identify the amount of time it takes the Earth to orbit the Sun.
“The most telling findings of the survey are not the gaps in people’s knowledge, but the public’s clear grasp of the fundamental importance of science in their daily lives and their tremendous desire to learn more,” said Dr. Gavin Svenson, CMNH Director of Research and Collections. “It is our responsibility as scientists not only to advance our understanding of the world, but to respond to this call from the public to share the relevance of this research and enable people to navigate the constantly evolving body of scientific evidence and knowledge.”
Museum President & CEO Winner added, “The Museum’s $150 million campaign to transform all our exhibitions and programs—and even our building—is designed to give scientists the platform to share their passion and their knowledge with the public. There are very few places where the public can directly experience new scientific information, see how science progresses, and find new perspectives on how to use those insights in their daily life. The events of the last months have demonstrated how vital that is.”
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History's Transformation Project
In June 2021, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History broke ground on a reinvention of its entire complex. The design is based on the geological history of the Museum’s site, evoking the glaciers that created the Great Lakes and revealing how these same forces have shaped the Earth and the Universe—and continue to affect life today. The Museum will use its exceptional historical collections and 11,000 acres of protected ecosystems, along with the latest scientific research and immersive technologies, to enable visitors to see how they are part of the continuum of the natural world.
In tandem with its expansion, the Museum is adding new curatorial and other scientific posts to reflect its approach of dismantling the structure of traditional, siloed scientific disciplines to more effectively link interdisciplinary research to education, public programming, and the work of other researchers nationally and globally.
Various areas of the Museum will remain open throughout the expansion, and phased openings of the new and reimagined spaces will begin in 2022.
Poll Methodology
This survey of 1,132 adults was conducted July 21 through July 29, 2021, by the Marist Poll sponsored by the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Adults 18 years of age and older residing in the United States were contacted on landline or mobile numbers and interviewed by telephone using live interviewers. Survey questions were available in English or Spanish. The samples were then combined and balanced to reflect the 2019 American Community Survey one-year estimates for age, gender, income, race, and region. Assistance was provided by Luce Research for data collection. Results are statistically significant within ±3.5 percentage points. The error margin was adjusted for sample weights and increases for cross-tabulations. For complete survey results, please see maristpoll.marist.edu/cleveland-museum-of-natural-history-survey.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History illuminates the world around us and inspires visitors to engage with the natural forces that shape their lives. Since its founding in 1920, the Museum has pioneered scientific research to advance knowledge across diverse fields of study and used its outstanding collections, which encompass millions of artifacts and specimens, to deepen the public’s understanding of the dynamic connections between humans and nature. Through its Natural Areas Program, the Museum stewards more than 11,000 acres of protected ecosystems across northern Ohio. A community gathering place, educational center, and research institution, the Museum is a vital resource that serves Cleveland and the nation. For more information, visit CMNH.org.
