Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Testing Your Knowledge on Pluto TV
Pluto TV, the popular streaming platform, has recently added a new channel with a familiar name: "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" The show, which originally aired from 2007 to 2015, challenges adults to answer questions based on elementary school curriculum.
But what if we applied the same concept to science and technology? How would the average adult fare against a 5th graders knowledge of STEM subjects?
Lets start with some basic science questions:
1. What is the formula for water?
2. What causes the tides in the ocean?
3. What is the closest star to Earth?
The answers, of course, are H2O, the gravitational pull of the moon, and the Sun (although some 5th graders might argue that its Proxima Centauri, a red dwarf star approximately 4.24 light-years away).
But what about more advanced topics?
1. What is the difference between a virus and a bacteria?
2. What is the main function of DNA?
3. What are the three main types of rock?
The answers, in order, are that bacteria are single-celled organisms that can live independently, whereas viruses need a host to survive; DNA carries genetic information that determines an organisms traits; and the three main types of rock are igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
While some adults might be able to answer these questions correctly, its important to remember that science and technology are constantly evolving. What a 5th grader learns today may be outdated by the time they reach college, let alone adulthood.
That being said, its never too late to learn. Platforms like Pluto TV offer a plethora of educational content, from science documentaries to technology news. And while you might not be able to compete with a 5th graders knowledge right off the bat, with continued learning and curiosity, you might just surprise yourself. |
