Reflection #12

The launch of the Sputnik satellite had a great impact on America. It was during the time of the cold war where there was a lot of political conflict and military tension amongst the United States and the USSR. This launch of the Satellite was a definite low blow for Americans. American’s have always been used to being the ones with big technological advances. America began to panic. They were afraid of being attacked and they felt vulnerable to the Soviet Union.  They did not want to be “behind” the Russians. Without anyone to blame, American put the blame on it’s education system. It became educations fault that America was not able to beat the Soviets into space. Universities were called to build intense  and strict curriculums for it’s students. These curriculums mainly focused on math, science, and foreign languages. America wanted to create scientists and leaders that would outdo the Soviets geniuses. They wanted students to focus one-hundred percent on these subjects and to actually obtain and learn the material instead of just memorizing it. The launching of Sputnik opened many doors into education. Curriculums were now forced to become more rigorous. America did not want American’s to be viewed as dumb or slow in it’s education system. Soon after the launch of Sputnik the National Defense Education Act was passed. It was a billion dollar plan intended to increase and better the education system. College students were able to receive up to a thousand dollars a year for their education. Schools that made loans received government funding. Undergraduate schools such as elementary,middle, and high schools were also modified. Teachers were educated in the subjects of math, science, and foreign languages in order to provide a better understanding to their students. These facilities in schools were expanded and so was the curriculum. Government funding for science facilities was  more available than it had ever been. The goal of these curriculums was to encourage creative thinking rather than repetition and memorization. Bright students were hand picked and placed in advanced classes. They were monitored seeing as they could serve for the United States. This launching of the Sputnik definitely started a revolution in the education system of the United States. It made America open it’s eyes to the possibility of being out done by another country. However,  America woke up and made a difference in it’s curriculums and teaching methods in order to enhance their science department.