President Obama announced a new initiative Monday morning as part of the White House’s attempt to reestablish the United States as the leading research and development powerhouse. The announcement of the “Educate to Innovate” campaign – a nationwide effort to help move American students from the middle to the top of the pack in science and math – is more recognition by the administration of the importance of R&D. Educating the next generation of scientists, engineers and researchers is critical if the United States wants to regain its role as an R&D leader.
Obama told a packed audience at the White House briefing that the $260 million public-private effort is designed to allow young people get “the chance to build and create – and maybe destroy just a little bit – to see the promise of being the makers of things, and not just the consumers of things.”
During the Webcast address, he told the nation that science and math should be on par with athletic achievement. “If you win the NCAA championship, you come to the White House,” he said “Well, if you're a young person and you've produced the best experiment or design, the best hardware or software, you ought to be recognized for that achievement, too. Scientists and engineers ought to stand side by side with athletes and entertainers as role models, and here at the White House we're going to lead by example. We're going to show young people how cool science can be.”
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.
- 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 (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) 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.
During the presentation, Obama included a demonstration of a robot “The Cougar Cannon” designed by students at Virginia’s Oakton High School. Using basketballs the Cougar Cannon simulates what a robot might have to do to transfer moon rocks from one place to another.
“I am eager to see what they do – for two reasons,” he said. “As President, I believe that robotics can inspire young people to pursue science and engineering. And I also want to keep an eye on those robots, in case they try anything.”
Joking aside, the administration continues to show a commitment to R&D. The White House has pushed for an enhanced R&D tax credit that they would like to see made permanent. That commitment needs to extend to the Congress where the credit has been languishing, and could expire by year’s end.
On the days before Thanksgiving – one of the most American holidays – we need to take what Obama is saying to heart. We should give thanks for the innovative spirit that infuses the American character, but we need to ensure that spirit has a chance to grow.
As Obama said: “There is a hunger for knowledge, an insistence on excellence, a reverence for science and math and technology and learning. That used to be what we were about. That's what we're going to be about again.”
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