Pew Research: Science Isn’t Just for Lab Coats — It’s in Everyday Life

When most people picture a scientist, they imagine a lab coat — not a farmer, electrician, or paramedic. But a new Pew Research Center survey shows Americans recognize that science lives far beyond the laboratory.

Nearly nine in ten adults say biologists rely heavily on science in their work, and three-quarters say the same about engineers. But the respect doesn’t stop there: about seven in ten Americans believe nurses and paramedics depend on scientific understanding too. Even among farmers and electricians — jobs sometimes overlooked in science conversations — majorities agree that science is essential.

That’s a quiet but meaningful reminder: science isn’t just about experiments and equations. It’s the knowledge that keeps our food growing, lights on, and ambulances running.

In an era when science can feel politicized, this finding is refreshingly unifying. Across backgrounds, Americans seem to agree that science matters — and that understanding how things work is a shared strength.

✨ Whether in a hospital, a cornfield, or a workshop, curiosity and evidence still guide the hands that keep our world moving.