Cutting federal science funding threatens Kansas’ economic power | Opinion
How can we teach elementary schoolers about the building blocks of the universe?
That’s the question I set out to answer more than 20 years ago when I founded the Quarked project at the University of Kansas. As a physics professor, I’ve seen how college students struggle with the abstract concepts underlying the field. We best absorb patterns and systems when we’re young, yet kids often aren’t regularly exposed to physics until they reach adolescence.
Quarked introduces kids age 7-12 to physics through fun, interactive content. Children can play online games such as Photon Invaders and Baryon Blaster to learn about subatomic properties. Learners of all ages can freely access animated videos and lesson plans. Scientific exploration is encouraged.
We were able to develop these resources thanks to grants from the National Science Foundation, along with university and private funding. As a result, the project has been a huge success, with hundreds of thousands of users accessing our content over the years.
Yet science education programs such as Quarked are facing an existential threat.
Earlier this year, the White House proposed billions of dollars in cuts to key physics funding avenues including NASA Science, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, and the Department of Defense’s basic research programs. The National Science Foundation would lose more than half of its budget under the administration’s plan.
The proposed cuts would have a massive impact on Kansas’ economy. These five agencies provided nearly $250 million to our universities in 2024 alone. They funded over 500 of our graduate students and supported 29 local small businesses, helping us develop the future scientists, companies and ideas that will carry on Kansas’ legacy as an innovation hub.
At the University of Kansas, for example, we’re using Department of Energy funds to make advanced silicon detectors. These sensors record particle collider data, helping us understand the origins of the universe. But the implications of our research extend beyond the lab. By integrating brain-inspired computing into our data processing, we’re developing more efficient computing that could reduce the energy burden of technologies like artificial intelligence. That would mean cheaper energy costs for Americans.
Our work wouldn’t be possible without federal support. From the equipment we use to the researchers we hire, every corner of the lab is powered by grants. Federal funding also helps drive the national scientific infrastructure which allows researchers to innovate freely. That includes peer-reviewed publishing — which ensures research is objectively assessed for quality, distributed and preserved — as well as financial support for international collaborations that capitalize on global talent.
Cutting science funding means dismantling a system that has powered America’s economic and educational preeminence for decades. Sen. Jerry Moran stood up for Kansan scientists last year by supporting science agencies in a difficult budget environment. As chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, he can do so again by championing science funding for the 2027 financial year.
Funding science requires significant public investment, but the cost of the White House’s proposed cuts is much higher. Without federal support, America will lag in research and development capabilities, threatening our national security and financial growth. Thousands of students will lose the support that allows them to become experts in their fields and innovative leaders in the private sector. Millions of young children will be deprived of programs such as Quarked that give them a head start towards high-paying, stable careers.
Kansans are counting on our lawmakers to stand up for science. With their help, we can keep working to build a more prosperous, innovative future for all.
Alice Bean is Distinguished Professor of Physics at the University of Kansas. The opinions expressed here are expressed in her role as a private citizen.