President Obama Launches “Educate to Innovate” Campaign for Excellence in STEM Education
Monday, November 23, 2009“Reaffirming and strengthening America’s role as the world’s engine of scientific discovery and technological innovation is essential to meeting the challenges of this century. That’s why I am committed to making the improvement of STEM education over the next decade a national priority.” – President Obama
Today President Obama launched the “Educate to Innovate” campaign – a nationwide effort to move America’s students to the top of the pack in science and math achievement. The initiative will include:
- 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.
- A commitment by leaders such as Sally Ride (the first female astronaut), Craig Barrett (former chairman of Intel), Ursula Burns (CEO, Xerox), Glenn Britt (CEO, Time Warner Cable), and Antonio Perez (CEO, Eastman Kodak) to increase the scale, scope, and impact of private-sector and philanthropic support for STEM education. This coalition, with the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, will recruit private sector leaders to serve as champions for STEM at the state level; mobilize resources to help scale successful STEM innovations; and raise awareness of the importance of STEM among parents and students.
- An annual science fair at the White House, showcasing the student winners of national competitions in areas such as science, technology, and robotics.
A video of President Obama's address can be viewed here.
A video of a Q/A Session with Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Office of Science and Technology Policy Director John P. Holdren answering questions about the "Educate to Innovate" initiative can be viewed here.
Click here to learn more about this national STEM education initiative.
Several ariticles reporting the "Educate to Innovate" Initiative -
- TIME: Background: Obama's "Educate to Innovate" Initiative
- The Boston Globe: Obama highlights science education
- Discovery Channel: Discovery Communications To Launch New Multimedia, Multi-Year Science Initiative, "Be The Future," Supporting Obama Administration STEM Priorities
- The New York Times: White House Pushes Science and Math Education
- Talking Points Memo: Obama: 'Scientific Discovery And Technological Innovation' Are 'Essential To Meeting The Challenges Of This Century'
- Columbus Business First: Battelle to take part in national STEM push
