Math, Physics , engineering and other hard sciences are difficult subjects. Unfortunately most public school teachers are incapable of teaching it beyond the introductory level, and there are really no incentives for undertaking such a rigorous course of study.

We need a system of scholarships that reward those and who are willing to study those subjects, and a tax incentive to financially reward those who practice them. Otherwise why would one study one's butt off to be an engineer rather than go to an investment bank and leverage a subprime mortgage into a million dollar bonus? Intellectual curiosity will only get you so far.

But in a nation run by lawyers it'll never happen.