WASHINGTON, D.C., November 23, 2009 — Today the White House is announcing a national education initiative to strengthen America's economic competitiveness through leadership in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.
Led by former CEO and Chairman Craig Barrett of Intel Corporation; Chairman, President and CEO Glenn Britt of Time Warner Cable; Ursula Burns, CEO of Xerox Corporation; Antonio M. Perez, Chairman and CEO of Eastman Kodak Company; and Dr. Sally Ride, CEO of Sally Ride Science and the first American woman in space; in conjunction with Carnegie Corporation of New York, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the effort seeks to improve America's students' interest and performance in the STEM disciplines, which are the foundation for innovation.
"At Intel, we have seen what young people can do with math and science when they are inspired and well-taught. It is up to all of us to stimulate that interest and provide teachers who can guide and nurture students in these critical subjects," said Craig R. Barrett.
"For nearly a half century, Xerox has been enabling young people to pursue educations and careers in science, technology, engineering and math," said Ursula Burns. "President Obama's initiative is not only the right thing for the young people of our country, but essential to maintaining America's leadership position in the global economy."
"The American economy has always depended on innovation, and in a knowledge-based society, there can be no real innovation without an educational emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math," said Antonio M. Perez, Chairman and CEO of Eastman Kodak. "This is especially important to create a workforce that can succeed in today's rapidly changing economy. Kodak has a long history of supporting education in these disciplines because we know that innovation is the key differentiator for our company and our country."
"We are grateful the Obama administration is focused on America's need to increase its STEM proficiency, and believe this will have positive outcomes for technology-focused businesses like Time Warner Cable," Glenn Britt said. "We have a need to fill the jobs pipeline with qualified engineers and technologists to continue our tradition of significant innovation in the telecommunications industry."
Under this public-private partnership, founders are building a coalition that seeks to shape a strong national STEM network that will mobilize the business community, philanthropists, educator's, governors and the public at-large. These founding champions aim to recruit other leaders from the business community to create a robust advisory board that will contribute the necessary resources to fund a sustainable effort. Working at a rapid pace--similar to the one that fueled our entry into the space race 50 years ago--this new nonprofit organization seeks to mobilize the resources needed to fuel a national STEM initiative and raise the level of math and science learning for all students.
Supported by a dynamic and highly qualified executive and staff, the organization will aim to improve STEM performance of America's students, by harnessing new technologies and social networks to connect teachers with STEM professionals, drive public demand for STEM education and careers, and challenge companies to engage in ways consistent with their core business competencies through building an national innovation infrastructure. Organizations including National Math and Science Institute and Battelle have already signed on to help as core partners.
"America's global competitiveness and the future of our democratic society depend on our ability to mobilize together now, with clear goals and great determination, to improve science, technology, engineering and math learning for all American students," said Vartan Gregorian, President of Carnegie Corporation of New York.
With an increasing number of US jobs requiring STEM skills, more American students will need to seek out and receive quality math and science education to compete for these high-paying, knowledge-based jobs. This initiative is an important first national step to improve math and science achievement, as well as broaden job opportunities and quality of life for more Americans and raise awareness of the importance of STEM education among parents and students.
"We believe that every student deserves the encouragement and the tools to explore his or her interests in science. At Sally Ride Science, we see the excitement in the eyes of young students when they understand a concept or discover something for themselves," said Dr. Sally Ride. "President Obama's initiative will help us inspire and educate America's next generation of scientists, engineers, and scientifically literate citizens."
Working together, a broad national STEM movement will help focus the efforts of many committed stakeholders in preparing the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators who will meet America's 21st century economic, environmental and community challenges.
About the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, whose STEM networks in Texas and Ohio are beginning to transform education in those states and whose new STEM initiative is a part of a national strategy to double the numbers of low-income students who graduate from college by 2025. The foundation's U.S. Program is focused on two major initiatives: ensuring that a high school education should result in college readiness and that postsecondary education should result in a degree or certificate with genuine economic value.
About the Carnegie Corporation of New York
Carnegie Corporation of New York is a philanthropic foundation created by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 to do "real and permanent good in this world." In education, the Corporation works to create pathways to opportunity for many more students by promoting systemic change and innovation in secondary and higher education.
About the Information Technology Industry Council
The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) is the premiere voice, advocate, and thought leader for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry. ITI is widely recognized as the tech industry's most effective advocacy organization in Washington D.C., and in various foreign capitals around the world. For more information about ICT companies leading the charge on America's innovation economy visit www.itic.org/STEM/.
About Intel Corporation
Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom and blogs.intel.com.
About Kodak
As the world's foremost imaging innovator, Kodak helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich their lives.
About Sally Ride Science
Sally Ride Science™ is an innovative science education company dedicated to supporting girls' and boys' interests in science, technology, engineering, and math. The company, founded by Dr. Sally Ride, creates programs and materials that bring science to life for students, their parents and their teachers. To learn more, visit http://www.SallyRideScience.com.
About Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable is the second-largest cable operator in the U.S., with technologically advanced, well-clustered systems located in five geographic areas -- New York State (including New York City), the Carolinas, Ohio, southern California (including Los Angeles) and Texas. Time Warner Cable serves more than 14 million customers who subscribe to one or more of its video, high-speed data and voice services. Time Warner Cable Business Class offers a suite of phone, Internet, Ethernet and cable television services to businesses of all sizes. Time Warner Cable Media Sales, the advertising arm of Time Warner Cable, offers national, regional and local companies innovative advertising solutions that are targeted and affordable. More information about the services of Time Warner Cable is available at www.timewarnercable.com
About Xerox Corporation
Headquartered in Norwalk, Conn., Xerox Corporation's 54,000 people represent the world's leading document management, technology and services enterprise, providing the industry's broadest portfolio of color and black-and-white document processing systems and related supplies, as well as document management consulting and outsourcing services.
