Educate to Innovate: White House and Education Dept. Announce New Science and Math Education Campaign

President Obama has announced a campaign to enlist companies and nonprofit groups to spend money, time and volunteer effort to encourage students, especially in middle and high school, to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The campaign - "Educate to Innovate" will primarily focus on informal education opportunities such as after-school activities, mentoring opportunities with scientists and researchers, plus quality science and math promotion television. So far, Elmo and Big Bird have signed up and the MacArthur Foundation is sweetening the pot to encourage video game designers to create educational gaming software. In addition to Sesame Street and many professional science societies signing on, big media outlets and stepping in also, donating money, equipment, and television time.

President Obama Launches "Educate to Innovate" Campaign for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (Stem) Education
Nationwide effort includes over $260 million in public-private investments to move American students to the top of the packin science and math achievement over the next decade.

From the White House Office of the Press Secretary, Official Press Release:

President Obama today launched the “Educate to Innovate” campaign, a nationwide effort to help reach the administration’s goal of moving American students from the middle to the top of the pack in science and math achievement over the next decade.

Speaking to key leaders of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) community and local students, President Obama announced a series of high-powered partnerships involving leading companies, foundations, non-profits, and science and engineering societies dedicated to motivating and inspiring young people across America to excel in science and math.

Among the initiatives announced by the President are:

Five public-private partnerships that harness the power of media, interactive games, hands-on learning, and 100,000 volunteers to reach more than 10 million students over the next four years, inspiring them to be the next generation of makers, discoverers, and innovators. These partnerships represent a combined commitment of over $260 million in financial and in-kind support.

An annual science fair at the White House, showcasing the student winners of national competitions in areas such as science, technology, and robotics.

President Obama has identified three overarching priorities for STEM education:

increasing STEM literacy so all students can think critically in science, math, engineering and technology;

improving the quality of math and science teaching so American students are no longer outperformed by those in other nations; and

expanding STEM education and career opportunities for underrepresented groups, including women and minorities.

Okay Mr. President and Secretary Duncan, I take this as your official submission to the upcoming Diversity in Science Carnival. The Diversity in Science Carnival (DiS)is a collection of blog post about topics related to increasing diversity in the fields of science and engineering. Each month the theme changes and usually relates to a larger theme. The upcoming carnival is focuses on programs to attract, prepare and retain pre-college students and the public in general to STEM. Broader Impacts II: Programs to promote STEM Diversity among K-12 students and general audiences. I'll take interpret the White House press release as an official endorsement of the awesomeness of the science outreach and accept their submission in the upcoming DiS Carnival.

Philosophically similar to the Whitehouse "Educate to Innovate" campaign, the DiS Carnival and its participants include scientists, educators, and community members who care about STEM education and blog about its importance.
Check out the most recent DiS Carnival - Broader Impacts I: Programs to promote STEM Diversity among the college ranks - to enrich racial, gender and ability diversity at every level, (undergraduate, graduate students, postdoctoral and faculty).

Comments (1)

Pamela Jean

This is so interesting. It's wonderful that we have a scientist around the place keeping us informed of these things. How else would we know! So many other things seem to dominate the news in newspapers and TV that we would miss good information like this. Thanks for providing it!

Posted by Pamela Jean | November 23, 2009 8:58 PM

Posted on November 23, 2009 20:58

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