Educate to Innovate

Post contributed by: Jennifer Skene

A few weeks ago, President Obama introduced a new campaign, Educate to Innovate, to improve student performance in science and math. I was thrilled to learn about this new initiative - and to see students from my alma mater, Oakton High School, help the president make his point about the importance of science. The campaign takes a multi-pronged approach to getting kids interested in science, through collaboration between corporations, universities, and non-profits. It will involve science design competitions, connections between scientists and schools, science TV shows on Sesame Street and The Discovery Channel, and a science fair at the White House. Says Obama, "We're going to show young people how cool science can be."

At the end of his talk, Obama was joined by a two students from my old high school, a big public school just outside Washington DC. The students were demonstrating a robot they'd built for the FIRST Robotics Competition. Called the Cougar Cannon, the robot fired basketballs in the air - Obama looked impressed. Seeing those kids in my school colors made me think back to my high school days, and all the things that made me, as a young person, think science was cool.

First off, I had some great teachers. My high school physics, biology, and pre-calculus teachers were fantastic. The Educate to Innovate campaign has received some criticism because it doesn't directly impact teachers and the school science curricula. However, I think there could be some great indirect benefits. Segments of the TV programs could be used in the classroom, following the great education program that is part of QUEST, a Bay Area science and environment program. And kids will be more excited to participate in science fairs when they know the grand prize involves a trip to the White House (and they don't even need to sneak past the Secret Service!).

Second, my high school physics teacher gave us extra credit for attending a very cool public lecture series at the University of Maryland, called Physics is Phun. These lectures were not lectures at all - they were exciting demos that showed us that yeah, physics is pretty fun! However, sitting in the audience was only part of the benefit of these lectures. I made the hour-long drive to and from the University of Maryland with my dad and my little brother. We had great conversations in the car, about the cool physics demos, school, and whatever else was going on. In his speech, Obama mentioned that in other countries, parents are very involved in their children's education - this is one reason why other nations' science programs are so rigorous and effective. Public science events like Physics is Phun provide the opportunity for parents to spend time with their kids and get involved in their education.

Third, I had the opportunity as a high school student to visit the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, as part of an outreach program for local DC area high school students. My visit to the research center really influenced my views about science as a career. While I didn't understand all the details about the research, I definitely understood that a job at a place like HHMI would be challenging and exciting - something to aspire to. This is the sort of inspiration that will spring from National Lab Day - students can visit the labs, and scientists can visit the students. Both groups, I think, will benefit.

American students lag behind their international peers in science, math, and engineering. But rather than despairing this fact, we should see it as a challenge. The Educate to Innovate campaign involves some fun, creative ideas that can inspire kids to learn and love science. These ideas have definitely inspired me, both as a kid in the DC suburbs, and as a scientist and science educator today.