Everyone remembers how The PISA tests revealed the low level of our students in mathematics or reading comprehension. These tests also revealed a low level in science, but few talk about this, even though Catalan students' knowledge of biology, technology, and earth sciences is eight points below the Spanish average and that of OECD countries. In this same vein, the basic skills tests administered by the Generalitat (Catalan government) in sixth grade show that science receives the worst scores of all subjects. In the last year evaluated, 2025, science is the only subject with a failing grade. No other subject has such poor results. Catalan children know more English than physics or geology.

The launch of the first artificial satellite by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, had a positive effect on science education in the United States. The fear provoked by the success of the rival superpower led to the promotion and funding of science education at all levels. Even Darwin's theory of evolution, sidelined by pressure from influential religious groups, regained its place in high schools. It was the Sputnik moment.