I've been working with some Navy sponsored initiatives to get middle school kids (7th - 8th grade) interested in science and engineering. The general belief is that if something doesn't spark their imaginations or interest by that time, then it's too late. We basically get the kids to solve a bunch of problems using some Lego robot kits. I'd say about a third of the kids really take an interest in it; the other 2/3 are mildly interested or completely bored.

The interest must be fostered even earlier, when the child is a preschooler. The majority of our (USA) underachievers come from poverty as well as broken and dysfunctional homes, which often go together. Many of the 2/3 that eskaman is talking about probably come from such homes. Early education helps, but we must intervene even before the child is born and do something about those families living in poverty if we want to help the underachievers in our schools. Boy, am I standing on a soap box? Somebody, please, knock me off!

Right on, bro!
Marty