Space competition is only one aspect, and at this time, the United States and the Soviet Union are competing for hegemony in all aspects, such as military, economic, educational, and people's lives. In the field of education, the United States and the Soviet Union also launched a special competition.

The U.S.-Soviet relationship at that time was like a pair of competing partners, not only comparing their current strengths, but also carrying on this competition to the next generation.

This is a bit similar to the student practice competition held in China and Japan at the end of the 20th century, in the 80s and 90s, so as to infer the trend of the development of the two countries in the future.

The Soviet weekly Spark reported: "In this unprecedented space race, there was also a small competition between the United States and the Soviet Union. Two 16-year-old secondary school students represented their respective countries in a competition to see who had the best education system. ”

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

The news of the successful launch of the first artificial Earth satellite by the Soviet Union caused a great deal of repercussions in Washington.

In the poll conducted in the United States, "What Soviets Can Succeed For", 30 percent said that Soviets did a good job; 20% attribute it to the achievements of German scientists, but believe that the Soviets arranged everything properly; In Washington and Chicago, 50% believed that the success of the Soviets was a blow to the prestige of the United States.

Experts believe that satellites are the product of educational and technological links, and whether or not such links can be realized will determine the future of the United States. The relevant US departments have listened carefully to the opinions of experts. Soon the National Space Agency NASA was founded. It can be said that the launch of satellites by the Soviet Union gave impetus to the work of science and education in the United States: the work of many scientific institutions and institutions of higher learning in the United States was rapidly adjusted.

Some scholars think even further: Why not start in middle school? Wouldn't it be up to the current middle school students to make breakthroughs in the future?

The relevant departments of the United States and the Soviet Union decided to conduct a test test: "Select one middle school student from each of the United States and the Soviet Union and conduct a one-month follow-up investigation on them." ”

"How they study, what books they read, what they do in their spare time. Through the survey, it is possible to 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 at that time."

The idea was supported by many people, and it was quickly carried out intensely.

At the beginning of 1958, the American delegation came to the USSR to select subjects, and as a result, Kutskov, a tenth-grader from Moscow Secondary School No. 49, was selected.

The personnel selected by both countries are selected at random. There are no specific conditions or requirements.

When the head teacher told Kuckov the good news. The student, who was dressed in a fur coat and a fur hat, was immediately stunned, and his somewhat emaciated face showed a look of surprise.

"What? Am I chosen? Want to exchange with American students? ”

Kuzkov didn't know at all what he was chosen. Kuckov was just an ordinary Soviet student. Maybe that's because of that. will be chosen.

His family conditions were not very good. His father died on the front line, and his mother was an ordinary engineer who loved music. Kutskov himself did not stand out either. It's just that he loves sports, and he has been on the sports club skating team, and later on the volleyball team.

"Yes," said the person in charge who was standing aside, "you will go to the United States on behalf of our Moscow 49 secondary school and on behalf of all our Soviet students." You're going to be there for a month, and you're going to be greeted by an American. They will eat, live and live with you. ”

"But, what am I for?" Kuckov was a little confused, he considered himself not special, he had no family background and no extraordinary ability.

"Kutskov! It shouldn't be the question you ask, it's about what needs to be done. ”

Kuckov's homeroom teacher kindly mentioned that although the homeroom teacher did not understand the above intentions, he knew that the performance of the students at this time would be related to many people. Kuckov's performance would even be linked to the Soviet Union as a whole, and he didn't want anything to go wrong.

"What does the Motherland need me to accomplish?" Kutskov asked loudly. He thought to himself that he should follow their example.

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

The person in charge immediately said: "There is also the need to cooperate with the research of the Americans, who want to find out how Soviet students study and live." You just have to show your true side of yourself. ”

Kutskov immediately put aside the doubts in his heart and replied with a firm gaze: "What a fool, teacher! I know it! “

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

These American education experts will follow Kuckov every day, documenting his actions one by one.

At the same time, the American student Labekas also came to Moscow No. 49 from New York High School, where he also needs to spend a month. As an exchange student of Kutskov, Labekas soon got to experience life as a Soviet student.

Rapecalfe is an ordinary American middle school student who loves rock 'n' roll and loves the songs of the Carpenter siblings and Elvis Presley. Outwardly, 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 that he was chosen to live in Moscow for a month, and he didn't ask any additional questions, but told his family directly and started to prepare.

This month, the American student Labekas entered Kutskov's class to attend classes and train volleyball with other Soviet classmates. I visit museums, take part in school events, and visit Soviet friends' homes.

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

The education experts who followed Kuckov were all in their 30s, and two of them were tall, dressed in fancy suits and ties. Quite a gentleman.

Americans are serious about what they do. They are good at studying, and they are obviously well-educated. But these people did not say a word to Kutskov about friendly relations. However, they were very measured and never forced Kuckov.

One month at New York High School and one month at Moscow. Both sides at the same time. When Kutskov returned to Moscow. The experts are still following. They also have to follow up on what Kuckov would have behaved 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. Then swap and cross-check with each other. For Kuckov, these Americans were very friendly, and when they came to Moscow, they wanted to visit Kuckov's house.

"My grandfather is sick, it's not appropriate to go now!" Kuckov said to them.

"Ah, what a shame to hear such news!" The American experts no longer insisted, and after knowing the truth, they did not mention going to Kuckov's house.

Soon after, the investigation ended. The experts did not say anything to Kuckov, but simply said goodbye and returned to the United States. The person in charge and the head teacher did not say what the results of the study were, because they did not know what to do.

After almost half a year, Kuckov learned the outcome of this incident while reading an American magazine.

"In the survey of the national education system, the Soviet Union is completely superior to the United States! Experts say that Soviet students are more promising than American students. ”

The text was printed in black on the magazine, and the large headline was very prominent. At this time, he realized that the name of the American student he exchanged with was Rapecalf.

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

Surveys show that although Kuckov and Labekas are the same age, Kuckov's level of education is at least two years higher than that of Labekas.

La Pecas studied English, American history, geometry, and biology. Geometry was the hardest thing for him to learn, so his mother had to ask the teacher to make up for it. And Kuckov took much more courses than Labekas, and he learned every one well.

Kuckov read Shakespeare and George Bernard Shaw, while La Pecas had just finished reading a thriller novel by Stevenson. Experts point out that, in general, in American schools, students generally read incomplete literature, but only book reviews, which were generally not allowed in Soviet schools.

Both secondary school students are active in physical activity and are equally divided on this point. Rapekas swims about 11 hours a week, Kuckov spends three times a week in the volleyball club, and learns music five times.

La Pecas sees his girlfriend every day, and he likes to go to evening parties and do swing dancing. And Kutskov's relationship with women is significantly lower than American standards. La Pecas is sociable and has a sense of humor and stands out in the various activities organized by the school. Kuckov, on the other hand, was a man who loved to work, was purposeful, and even challenging.

American students, on the other hand, appear to be very unmotivated. Although he wanted to go to university, he didn't value his studies because he didn't think it would guarantee him success later in life. And Kutskov received excellent evaluations in all aspects, and he believed that pursuing higher education would make him promising.

When American and Soviet students were in an unfamiliar environment, the two behaved very differently.

When the American students arrived in Moscow in the Soviet Union, they almost became two people, lost their passion for adventure and enterprising in the United States, and stayed in their lodgings all day. On the contrary, the performance of the Soviet students was astonishing, and after arriving at New York High School, Kuckov remained in good spirits, neither humble nor arrogant, polite and courteous.

The unfamiliar environment aroused the studious and progressive side of the Soviet students, and they were soon recognized among American students.

The final investigation showed: Soviet secondary schools placed more emphasis on basic science subjects such as chemistry, mathematics, physics, and astronomy, but Kutskov also learned literature and foreign languages very well, but history was worse, but this was the reason for the change in textbooks after Stalin's death, not the fault of the students.

The Americans had a more practical way of looking at things, and this game with the Soviets made them realize that they would later have to deal with a new generation of educated Soviet youth. Kutskov's success taught the Americans a lesson, making them realize that their children are already one step behind at the starting line.

It is very coincidental that at this time the Soviet Union just sent Gagarin into space. At a time when the American media is criticizing it. Someone threw the investigation report out. It immediately attracted widespread attention, and the astronauts in the sky can be left alone for the time being, but it is related to the education of the next generation, which can make the whole United States boil.

"What? Comparison of American and Soviet students. The United States is completely defeated! ”

"No suspense! Comparison of the U.S.-Soviet education system. The USSR defeated the United States! “

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

"I thought that our next generation would be able to pull back a game. Now it seems that they can't do it either! ”

News such as the failure of NASA to launch a rocket, the successful manned flight experiment of the Soviet Union, the comparison of the education system of the United States and the Soviet Union, the inside story of the establishment of NASA and the suppression of SCC companies are surging like waves of turbulence.

The first few news waves were able to withstand it, and many officials still spoke on the side of the government. However, when the news of insider information and education came out, the position of many government officials immediately changed. have demanded that NASA be held accountable for shady scenes.

NASA is facing a major crisis, and US President Eisenhower is under tremendous pressure, and it was he who put Grennan to the position of NASA administrator in the first place, and now he naturally bears the responsibility for the problem.

If it had been in any other time period, handled in the Eisenhower military's toughness style, he would certainly not have bothered with these issues. But when his secretary of state, Dulles, fell ill and died, Eisenhower's influence in Congress was greatly diminished.

Congressman Kennedy joined other politicians in challenging the ruling party, asking them to respond to various policy questions, especially on the issue of NASA being empty and not producing a single result.

"Why can't an institution with the entire American human resources have been able to achieve anything for so long, while a small private company, SCC, can do what NASA can't?" Kennedy said this in public, vigorously attacking the ruling party, criticizing it for cronyism and favoritism.

At this time, Eisenhower began to consider whether to abandon the car to protect the commander, and finally made up his mind that NASA failed another rocket launch. Faced with such a result, he could no longer hold back the anger in his heart and scolded Grennan in the office.

"Get your resignation ready!" After scolding, Eisenhower sighed and said, "If you continue to stay in the position of NASA administrator, even God will not be able to protect you." ”

After returning, Glennan submitted his resignation to Lu Shang, which was quickly approved. Without Grennan in the way, the position of NASA administrator naturally fell to von Bryan. NASA had a major upheaval, and many people were purged and then put in SCC people.

Of course, on the surface, we still have to take care of the government's face, and we can't do too much, and some positions still have to be reserved for the overseers sent by the government. On top of that, NASA still has to follow the government's advice to some extent, if they want to get a huge amount of money.

These are not problems, with righteousness and fame in hand, SCC will naturally be able to eat the biggest piece of cake.

Since then, NASA has been completely controlled by Alex and others, and the two-year-long battle has finally settled one day. After the victory of SCC, the Carpenter family and the Hughes Group finally tied the development of American space technology to their own ships. (To be continued......)

PS: The state is not very good these days, but the house cat will still insist on more than 10,000 a day! Rest assured!