White House Launches New STEM Effort

By Juliana Gruenwald

November 23, 2009

President Obama announced a new initiative Monday aimed at improving U.S. students' achievement in math and science over the next decade. The new "Educate to Innovate" initiative involves partnerships with leading companies, foundations, nonprofits and science and engineering societies aimed at motivating students to excel in science and math.

"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," Obama said in a speech at the National Academy of Sciences. "That's why I am committed to making the improvement of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education over the next decade a national priority."

The initiative aims to increase STEM literacy so all students can think critically in science, math, engineering and technology, improve the quality of math and science teaching to help U.S. students catch up with foreign students, and expand STEM education and career opportunities for underrepresented groups, including women and minorities. Among the partnerships announced are five public-private partnerships, which include a commitment of $260 million in financial and in-kind support, 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," according to a White House press release.

Business leaders hailed the initiative. "The chamber applauds the president's efforts to energize a new generation of innovators and pledges to work with our members to support the new STEM initiative," U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President Arthur Rothkopf said in a statement.

Juliana Gruenwald

Tech Writer

E-Mail: jgruenwald@nationaljournal.com.

Juliana Gruenwald has been covering tech and telecom issues for more than a decade for National Journal, Interactive Week, BNA and Congressional Quarterly. This is her second stint with National Journal. She was recruited by NJ in 1998 to help launch its first tech policy publication, Technology Daily. She left in 2000 to cover international tech and telecom issues for Ziff Davis Media's Interactive Week magazine. She started her career at United Press International as the wire service's first Helen Thomas Intern. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota. A Minneapolis native, she misses the lakes but not the cold.

Josh Smith

Tech Reporter

E-Mail: joshsmith@nationaljournal.com.

Josh Smith covers technology policy as a staff reporter for National Journal. He previously interned at National Journal Daily, a Senate press office, and the Deseret News in Salt Lake City where he covered the state legislature, courts, and crime. In 2009 he graduated with honors from Southern Utah University after managing an award-winning student newspaper as editor-in-chief. Josh has received state, regional and national awards for his political and policy reporting, including first place in CapitolBeat’s 2009 Best of Statehouse Reporting college competition. A native of drop-dead-gorgeous Utah, Josh lives in Virginia with his wife, Amber.

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