Fact check: Nasa did a study and found children where 98 percent genius, but adults are only 2%

1. Summary of the results

The analyses confirm that NASA did conduct a study finding that 98% of children test at a creative genius level, while only 2% of adults achieve this same level ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}. The study was conducted by Dr. George Land in 1968 and specifically tested children aged 3-5 years old ^{[3] [1] [4] [2]}.

The research revealed a dramatic decline in creative genius scores as children age:

• 98% of 5-year-olds scored at the creative genius level
• 30% at age 10
• 12-13% at age 15
• Less than 2% in adults ^{[1] [2] [4]}

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original statement omits several crucial details that provide important context:

Study methodology and purpose: The study was originally designed to test NASA engineers and scientists for creative problem-solving abilities, and Dr. Land later applied the same test to children to compare results ^{[3] [1]}. This context is completely absent from the original claim.

Educational system implications: Multiple sources indicate that traditional schooling systems reward convergent thinking and punish divergent thinking, which may explain the decline in creative genius scores ^{[3] [1]}. The analyses suggest that the educational system may be systematically stifling creativity rather than this being a natural developmental process ^{[2] [1]}.

Specific focus on creativity: The original statement uses the broad term "genius" when the study specifically measured "creative genius" - a distinction that significantly changes the interpretation of the findings ^{[1] [2] [3]}.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

While the core statistical claims are accurate, the original statement contains oversimplification that could be misleading:

• Lacks specificity: Using "genius" instead of "creative genius" broadens the interpretation beyond what the study actually measured
• Missing attribution: Fails to mention that this was Dr. George Land's 1968 study conducted for NASA, making it difficult to verify or find the original research
• No methodology context: Omits that this was a creativity assessment test, not a general intelligence or genius measurement
• Implies natural decline: Without mentioning the educational system's role, the statement suggests this decline is inevitable rather than potentially systemic and preventable

The statement, while factually supported by the data, benefits those who wish to critique traditional educational approaches without providing the full context needed for readers to understand the study's original purpose and specific focus on creative problem-solving abilities.