Science is hard work, and not always high reward. If a kid has a natural aptitude for numerical thinking, logical thinking, etc., but no strong affinity for science, they may just be smart enough not to enter that field.
Very often, being really "smart" in a subject is dependent on having a sustained high level of interest in that subject. Not at the grade school or high school level, but at the graduate or professional level. It's possible to fake it, relying on raw intelligence and forcing yourself to perform well in a mentally-demanding field that you're not genuinely interested in, but it's way, way more work.
Very often, being really "smart" in a subject is dependent on having a sustained high level of interest in that subject. Not at the grade school or high school level, but at the graduate or professional level. It's possible to fake it, relying on raw intelligence and forcing yourself to perform well in a mentally-demanding field that you're not genuinely interested in, but it's way, way more work.