Teens better in science than thought

American teenagers aren't doing as poorly on international science tests as adults think. Despite the misconceptions, the adults surveyed still don't think the subject should get greater emphasis in schools.

That's according to a Pew Research Center for the People and the Press poll released Monday.

More Americans than not wrongly think the U.S. students rank at the bottom on international tests measuring science knowledge. The U.S. actually ranks in the middle among developed countries.

Those surveyed were more likely to pick math or language skills over science when they were asked which subject they thought deserves greater attention.

The survey also found that, among adults, there is wide variety in what they know about science and technology.