Rebirth in America

??\u003c!--Chapter content begins--\u003e

Space competition is only one aspect. At this time, the United States and the Soviet Union were competing in various aspects such as military, economy, education, and people's lives. In the field of education, the United States and the Soviet Union also launched special competitions.

The relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union at that time was like a pair of competing partners. They not only had to compare their current strengths, but also continued this competition to the next generation.

This is a bit similar to the student practice competitions held by China and Japan in the late 20th century and 1980s, in order to infer the future development trends of the two countries.

The Soviet Union's "Spark" weekly reported: "In this unprecedented space race, there was also a unique little competition between the United States and the Soviet Union. Two 16-year-old middle school students represented their respective countries in a competition to compare whose The education system is good.”

The origins of this competition began on October 5, 1957. On this day, the Soviet newspaper "Pravda" published a TASS announcement saying: "The Soviet Union successfully launched the first artificial earth satellite." The whole Soviet Union was jubilant.

The news that the Soviet Union successfully launched the first artificial earth satellite caused great repercussions in Washington.

In a poll conducted in the United States "Why the Soviets were successful", 30% said the Soviets did a good job; 20% attributed it to the achievements of German scientists, but thought the Soviets arranged everything properly; in Washington and Chicago, where 50% believed that the Soviet success had damaged American prestige.

Experts believe that satellites are the product of education and technology links, and whether such links can be realized will determine the future of the United States. Relevant parties in the United States listened carefully to the opinions of experts. The national space agency NASA was soon established. It can be said that the launch of satellites by the Soviet Union promoted the scientific education work in the United States: many scientific research institutions and colleges and universities in the United States quickly adjusted their work.

Some scholars think further: why not start in middle school? Don’t future technological breakthroughs rely on today’s middle school students?

Relevant departments of the United States and the Soviet Union decided to conduct an experiment: "Select a middle school student from each country in the United States and the Soviet Union. Conduct a follow-up investigation on them for one month."

"How do they study, what books do they read, and what do they do in their spare time. Through surveys, we can find out which country has a better education system."

"The final results will be announced at the World Education Exchange Conference, and education experts from various countries can also be invited to comment."

This idea received support from many people and was quickly carried out intensively.

In early 1958, an American delegation came to the Soviet Union to select subjects, and Kuzkov, a tenth-year student at Moscow No. 49 Middle School, was selected.

The personnel selected in both countries were randomly selected. There are no specific conditions or requirements.

When the head teacher told Kuzkov the good news, the student wearing a fur coat and fur hat was immediately stunned, with a surprised look on his thin face.

"What? I was selected? I want to be exchanged with American students?"

Kuzkov had no idea why he was chosen. Kuzkov was just an ordinary Soviet student, perhaps because of this, he was chosen.

His family conditions are not very good. His father died on the front line, and his mother was an ordinary engineer who loved music. Kuzkov himself had nothing outstanding. He just loved sports and joined the sports club's skating team and later the volleyball team.

"Yes." The person in charge standing aside said: "You will go to the United States on behalf of our No. 49 Middle School in Moscow and on behalf of all our students in the Soviet Union. You will stay there for a month and will be hosted by an American family. You. They will eat, sleep and live with you."

"But, but why me?" Kuzkov was a little confused. He thought that he was not special. He has no family background and no extraordinary abilities.

"Kutskov-kun! What you want to ask is not this question. It's about what you need to do."

Kuzkov's class teacher kindly gave some advice. Although the class teacher did not understand the above intention, he knew that the student's performance at this time would be related to many people. Kuzkov's performance may even be related to the entire Soviet Union, and he does not want any mistakes to occur.

"What tasks does the motherland need from me?" Kuzkov asked loudly. The deeds of countless heroes flashed through his mind, and he thought that he should also follow their examples.

The head teacher waved his hand and asked him to relax: "Don't be so nervous, don't be so nervous. You don't need to complete any tasks, just study with your classmates who live in Moscow."

The person in charge then said: "The other thing is to cooperate with the Americans' research. They want to find out how Soviet students study and live. For this, you just need to show your true side."

Kuzkov immediately put aside the doubts in his heart and replied with a firm look: "Okay, teacher! I understand!"

In February 1958, Kuzkov went to New York Middle School in the United States, where he had to study with strange American students and live with an American family. During this period, there were many people watching his every move, and American education experts analyzed his physical and psychological conditions one by one.

These American education experts will follow Kuzkov every day and record everything he does.

At the same time, American student Rapekas also came to Moscow No. 49 Middle School from New York Middle School. He also needed to stay here for a month. As Kuzkov's exchange student, Rapekas quickly got to experience life as a Soviet student.

Lapekaf is an ordinary American middle school student who likes rock music, songs by the Carpenters and Elvis Presley. From the outside, he has a handsome face and short hair. He has a cheerful personality and his friends say he is very sunny.

Rapekav was very excited about being selected to live in Moscow for a month. He didn't ask any additional questions. He told his family directly and started making preparations.

This month, the American student Rapekas entered Kuzkov's class to attend classes and conducted volleyball training with other Soviet students. Visit museums and participate in school-organized activities. I would also visit my Soviet friends’ houses.

How do two ordinary students behave in different environments? This is an issue that many people are concerned about. In fact, what they are most concerned about is the comprehensive ability of American and Soviet students. After all, they will represent the future of these two countries.

The education experts who followed Kuzkov were all in their 30s. Two of them were very tall and wore elegant suits and ties. Quite a gentleman.

Americans are very serious about their work, love to study, and are obviously well-educated. But these people did not say a word about friendly relations to Kuzkov. However, they acted in a measured manner and never forced Kuzkov.

One month at the New York high school and one month at the Moscow high school. Both sides were carried out simultaneously. When Kuzkov returned to Moscow, the experts still followed him. They will also follow up on how Kuzkov behaves in his own environment. Compare the performance of two students in two different environments.

The American students were followed by Soviet experts, and the Soviet students were followed by American experts, and then they exchanged and cross-checked each other. To Kuzkov, these Americans were quite friendly when they came to Moscow. They wanted to visit Kuzkov's house.

"My grandpa is sick. It's not appropriate to go now!" Kuzkov said to them.

"Ah, what a pity to hear such news!" The American expert no longer insisted, and in the end he never mentioned going to Kuzkov's house.

Shortly after, the investigation was concluded. The experts said nothing to Kuzkov. I just said goodbye and returned to the United States. The person in charge and the head teacher did not say what the results of this study were, because they did not know.

Almost half a year passed. Kuzkov only learned of the outcome while reading an American magazine.

"Comparison of national education system surveys, the Soviet Union completely beat the United States! Experts say Soviet students have more prospects than American students."

Such text is printed in black font on the magazine, and the huge title is very conspicuous. Only then did he learn that the name of the American student he was exchanging with was Lapecafu.

Experts from the United States and the Soviet Union compared a series of research items, such as students' attitudes towards learning, what books they read, and what they do in their spare time. The Americans wanted to prove that the educational systems of the United States and the Soviet Union were relatively good and similar. However, the survey results announced on March 24 of that year had a strong impact on the United States.

The investigation showed that although Kuzkov and Lapekas were of the same age, Kuzkov’s educational level was at least two years higher than that of Lapekas.

Rapecas studies English, American history, geometry and biology. Geometry was the most difficult for him to learn, and his mother had to ask a teacher to give him extra lessons. Kuzkov, on the other hand, has learned many more courses than Rapecas, and he has done well in every subject.

Kuzkov read Shakespeare and George Bernard Shaw, while Lapekas had just finished reading a thriller by Stevenson. Experts point out that in general, in American schools, students generally do not read complete literary works, but only review them, while Soviet schools usually did not allow this.

Both middle school students actively participate in physical exercise, and they are evenly matched on this point. Lapekas swims about 11 hours a week, and Kuzkov plays in the volleyball club three times a week and takes music lessons five times a week.

Lapekas sees his girlfriend every day, and he likes to go to parties and dance swing. And Kuzkov’s relationships with women were significantly below American standards. Rapecas is sociable, has a sense of humor, and excels in various activities organized by the school. And Kuzkov is a man who loves work, is very purposeful, and even challenging.

On the other hand, American students appear to be very unmotivated. Although Lapecas wanted to go to college, he did not pay attention to learning because he believed that going to college would not ensure his success in future life. Kuzkov has received excellent evaluations in all aspects. He believes that receiving higher education can make him have a future.

When American and Soviet students were in an unfamiliar environment, their behavior was very different.

After American students arrived in Moscow, the Soviet Union, they became almost completely different from each other. They lost their passion for adventure and enterprising in the United States and stayed in their residences all day without going out. On the contrary, the performance of the Soviet students was astonishing. After arriving at New York Middle School, Kuzkov's mental outlook has been very good, neither humble nor arrogant, polite and polite.

The unfamiliar environment actually aroused the studious and enterprising side of Soviet students, which was quickly recognized among American students.

The final investigation revealed. Soviet middle schools paid more attention to basic science courses, such as chemistry, mathematics, physics and astronomy. However, Kuzkov also learned literature and foreign languages ​​very well, but his history was worse. But this was due to changes in the teaching materials after Stalin's death, not the fault of the students.

Americans have a more practical way of looking at problems. This game with the Soviets made them realize that they will have to deal with a new generation of educated Soviet young people in the future. Kuzkov's success taught Americans a lesson, making them realize that their children were already one step behind at the starting line.

It was a very coincidence that the Soviet Union happened to send Gagarin into space at this time. While the American media was criticizing it, someone threw out this investigative report. It immediately aroused widespread attention. We can ignore the astronauts in the sky for the time being, but it is related to the education of the next generation, which makes the entire United States excited.

"What? Comparing the students of the United States and the Soviet Union, the United States is completely defeated!"

"No suspense! Comparing the educational systems of the United States and the Soviet Union, the Soviet Union completely beats the United States!"

"Oh my God! Is the United States so far behind now?"

"I originally thought that our next generation could pull things back. Now it seems they can't either!"

News such as the failure of NASA's rocket launch in the United States, the success of the Soviet manned space flight experiment, the comparison of the education system between the United States and the Soviet Union, the inside story of the establishment of NASA and the suppression of the company came like waves after waves.

The first few news waves were still able to be withstood, and many officials still spoke on the side of the government. However, when the inside story and education news came out, many government officials immediately changed their stance and demanded that NASA be held accountable for the shady story.

NASA was facing a major crisis, and U.S. President Eisenhower was under tremendous pressure. It was he who supported Glennan to the position of NASA administrator. If something goes wrong now, you will naturally have to bear the responsibility.

If it were any other time period and Eisenhower had dealt with it in his tough military style, he would certainly not have paid attention to these issues. However, his Secretary of State Dulles fell ill and died. After losing this right-hand man, Eisenhower's influence in Congress was greatly reduced.

Congressman Kennedy joined other politicians to attack the ruling party. They were asked to respond to various policy questions, especially the issue of NASA wasting money but not producing any results.

"Why can't an agency with the entire human and material resources of the United States achieve anything for such a long time? What can't SASA, a small private company, do?" Kennedy said in public. He vigorously criticized the ruling party, Criticize them for being nepotistic and bending the law for personal gain.

At this time, Eisenhower began to consider whether to abandon the vehicle to keep the commander in chief. What finally made him make up his mind was that NASA failed to launch another rocket. Faced with this result, he could no longer hold back the anger in his heart and scolded Grennan in the office.

"Prepare your resignation letter!" After finishing his scolding, Eisenhower sighed and said, "If you continue to stay in the position of NASA director, even God will not be able to protect you."

After returning, UU Reading www.uukaｎshu.net Grennan submitted his resignation to the superiors, and it was quickly approved. Without Grennan standing in the way, the position of NASA administrator naturally fell to von Bryan. NASA ushered in a major turmoil. Many people were purged and people from the company were put in.

Of course, on the surface, we still have to take care of the government's face, we can't go too far, and certain positions still have to be reserved for supervision sent by the government. Beyond that, NASA still has to follow government advice to some extent if they still want to get huge funding.

These are not problems. With great righteousness and reputation in hand, the company will naturally be able to eat the biggest piece of the cake.

Since then, NASA has been completely controlled by Alex and others, and the two-year-old overt and covert struggle has finally come to an end. After the company won, the Carpenter family and the Hughes Group finally tied the development of American aerospace technology to their own ships. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com () to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile phone users please go to m. to read.)

PS: I’m not in very good shape these days, but I’ll still insist on updating more than 10,000 times a day! Please rest assured! \u003c!--End of chapter content--\u003e