Buzz Lightyear first man to walk on moon, children believe

[Eanae]

The worrying stats emerged from a study of 2,000 schoolchildren. It shows most of them are clueless about key events in history although they are much more knowledgeable about celebrities instead. One in five kids believe Toy Story's Buzz Lightyear was the first person to set foot on the moon rather than Neil Armstrong. And one in twenty youngsters thought Counter Terrorist Jack Bauer was the brains behind the Gunpowder plot.

But two thirds of the 6-12 year olds correctly identified malaria as Cheryl Cole's illness and David Beckham as being the most recent player to be dropped by Fabio Capello.
Christopher Lloyd, the author of The What on Earth Wallbook, said: ''There seems to be a lot of confusion when it comes to children and historical events.
''Neil Armstrong would not be happy to learn a plastic action figure is getting the credit for first man to step on the moon.

''Young people have little or no context when it comes to knowledge about the past.
"Often they know a great deal about a few topics, but seldom do they have any idea of the big picture - especially when it comes to events of the past that connect the story of human history with evolution and the natural world.

The research was carried out to mark the launch of the What on Earth? Wallbook which details and illustrates historical events from the big bang to the present day.
The survey also found a third did not know Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, with nine cent reckoning it was Deal or No Deal's Noel Edmonds while one in five thought it was Charles Darwin.

The research found kids' science and space knowledge isn't tip top either - with 11 per cent thinking Isaac Newton discovered fire and Albert Einstein was Frankenstein's brother.

One in six think Darth Vader's Deathstar from Star Wars is the furthest planet from Earth.
It also emerged one in twenty thought Christopher Columbus discovered liposuction, NOT America, while one in ten wrongly believe Rolf Harris painted the Mona Lisa.
Another 12 per cent of kids reckon the battle of Britain took place in space and one in six said The Daleks from Dr Who occupied Britain.

One in six even failed to identify US President Barrack Obama, claiming he was Mr T from the A-Team, F1 Lewis Hamilton and even Nelson Mandela.

But while children were found to be clueless about historical happenings, they faired much better when it came to celebrities and showbiz.

More than half knew Joe McElderry won last year's X Factor and nearly two thirds correctly identified Cheryl Cole's recent illness as malaria.

A whopping 65 per cent knew Britney Spears shaved her head, and 55 per cent correctly said model Jordan has been married twice.

Christopher Lloyd added: ''By picking up a book, exploring the UK and learning a bit more about the history which surrounds different towns and cities, children can become much more clued up.

''It's worrying to see so many youngsters are more aware of celeb culture than influential figures, key battles and events that changed the world.

''We hope our timeline will make it clearer for kids and adults to understand what happened between the Big Bang and the current day.''

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/8048...n-believe.html

[Sepukku]

All of it is BS... has to be either more ridiculous to be obviously fake but still funny or more serious / less ridiculous. Bad fake. 1 in 6 kids think the Death Star is the farthest planet from Earth? Theres some dumb pockets of school children out there, but not that dumb.

[Eanae]

I would certainly feel better if it was a troll article. <_<

[NotGreyheim]

That's....
I don't even...
Jack Bauer?!

[Stilzkin]

What type of survey was it? Multiple choice?

If you give kids the option to choose a joke answer a good amount of them are going to choose it.

[archibaldcrane]

Multiple choice answers obviously, and kids that don't know pick the most familiar name. The phrase "The Gunpowder plot" isn't something I'm familiar with - I'd guess the answer is Guy Fawkes but yeah.

[Keria]

well no shit, they are age 6-12, give them a multiple choice question and they will answer stuff they've heard of if they don't know the answer /eyeroll

[Ksandra]

I think you guys are missing this part:

But two thirds of the 6-12 year olds

if more of them were on the 6-7 side, this is not that far fetched or that bad an issue. Six year olds are only in first grade. Do they even teach about Neil Armstrong then?

[Mizango]

If this is legit then that is pathetic. And we wonder why kids dont grow up and no longer want to become scientists, engineers and astronauts, yet most know whom Snookie and the likes of the Kardashians are.

Total bullshit, Lightyear and go suck it.

[Ksandra]

If this is legit then that is pathetic. And we wonder why kids dont grow up and no longer want to become scientists, engineers and astronauts, yet most know whom Snookie and the likes of the Kardashians are.

Total bullshit, Lightyear and go suck it.

when I was in first grade I knew who every my little pony and care bears was, but fuck if I knew specifics of history outside of doing a play on Lincoln. This is really not that surprising nor different than when we were young.

[Mizango]

if more of them were on the 6-7 side, this is not that far fetched or that bad an issue. Six year olds are only in first grade. Do they even teach about Neil Armstrong then?

Yes, at my daughters school they did. Kids are naturally inquisitive and gravitate towards the physical sciences and space, so why wouldn't half the schools out there work off of that? I mean whats cooler to a kid that watching fucking fire roar out of the back of a NASA labeled projectile as it disappears into the sky?

[orson]

Multiple choice answers obviously, and kids that don't know pick the most familiar name. The phrase "The Gunpowder plot" isn't something I'm familiar with - I'd guess the answer is Guy Fawkes but yeah.

Ya that's correct it's one the earliest and widest known case of domestic terrorism (well attempted.) I'm not surprised though that a lot of kids don't know shit about it since it's a UK thing.

As others have said even if this was a serious test most these kids were probably answering in jest anyways.

[Ksandra]

Yes, at my daughters school they did. Kids are naturally inquisitive and gravitate towards the physical sciences and space, so why wouldn't half the schools out there work off of that? I mean whats cooler to a kid that watching fucking fire roar out of the back of a NASA labeled projectile as it disappears into the sky?

nerd.

[Anton]

Death Star and Barrack Obama are clearly kids fucking with the survey. When I was 6, I'd definitely put Death star because it'd be uproariously funny over PB n J lunchtime. Who doesn't know Obama's face in this day and age?

Unless...

He's actually...

A MUSLIM WEARING A MASK! Fox news Gogogo!

[Mizango]

when I was in first grade I knew who every my little pony and care bears was, but fuck if I knew specifics of history outside of doing a play on Lincoln. This is really not that surprising.

I did too, I knew every decepticon and autobot down to the last bolt. I also knew my then 9 planets in sequence and loved science because perhaps I had teachers that cared enough to stimulate our minds with something they knew we'd like? Idk, but teachers wonder why they suck and are getting laid off. Some need to care more, fuck Barney and fuck your curriculum.

[Mizango]

nerd.

Ah you love it <3


Edit: lol Anton. Clearly you are in favor of a socialist education system.

[Ksandra]

I did too, I knew every decepticon and autobot down to the last bolt. I also knew my then 9 planets in sequence and loved science because perhaps I had teachers that cared enough to stimulate our minds with something they knew we'd like? Idk, but teachers wonder why they suck and are getting laid off. Some need to care more, fuck Barney and fuck your curriculum.

not every kid loves science miz that isn't necessarily the fault of the school or teachers. I loved my teachers in school but I was never a fan of math/science.

The planets I remember learning young but as others said I doubt the kids took this survey seriously.

[Mizango]

KSANDRA LERN 2 LERN!!!

[archibaldcrane]

but fuck if I knew specifics of history outside of doing a play on Lincoln.

Inappropriate.

[Rhyis.]

You mean the Death Star isn't real? FU