White
House Expands Campaign for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics (STEM) Education
President Obama
has announced several new and innovative partnerships to prepare thousands of
new math and science teachers and train over 100,00
current educators. This $250 million
dollar effort will
involve major companies, universities, foundations, non-profit organizations
and government agencies designed to attract, develop, reward and retain
outstanding educators in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
(STEM). (Read more) As part of his
“Educate to Innovate” campaign to lift American students to the top of the pack
in science and math achievement over the next decade. The President will honor
more than 100 outstanding math and science educators—the latest winners of
Presidential awards for excellence in STEM teaching and mentoring. : Five new
public-private partnerships to prepare more than 10,000 new math and science
teachers over the next five years and will support the professional development
of more than 100,000 current teachers in STEM fields. Intel’s Science and Math Teachers Initiative,
Expansion of the National Math and Science Initiative’s UTeach
Program, a Commitment of Public University Presidents to Train 10,000 Math and
Science Teachers Annually by 2015, the PBS Innovative Educators Challenge and
Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowships in Math and Science – represent a combined
commitment of more than $250 million in financial and in-kind support. Building on the President’s call to action to all scientists and engineers
working for the federal government to engage in high-impact volunteering
alongside STEM educators, NASA will organize a multi-year “Summer of
Innovation” enrichment program in which NASA scientists and engineers will work
with thousands of teachers and students to work on cutting-edge STEM learning
opportunities. President Obama
said. “Passionate educators with issue expertise can make all the difference,
enabling hands-on learning that truly engages students—including girls and
underrepresented minorities—and preparing them to tackle the grand challenges
of the 21st century such as increasing energy independence, improving people’s
health, protecting the environment, and strengthening national security.” |