Science and Teacher Mentor Awards also announced at White House Event
Alexandria, VA – President Barack Obama announced new funding for the “Educate to Innovate” program during a White House event on January 6 that also honored educators from across the country for excellence in mathematics and science teaching and mentoring.
“Whether it’s improving our health or harnessing clean energy, protecting our security or succeeding in the global economy, our future depends on reaffirming America’s role as the world’s engine of scientific discovery and technological innovation. And that leadership tomorrow depends on how we educate our students today, especially in math, science, technology, and engineering, said President Obama.
Among the new funding, the Department of Education will be announcing an additional $10 million in grants for innovative programs to train new teachers. Total support for the Educate to Innovate campaign has doubled to more than half a billion dollars in private funding.
“To continue to cede our leadership in education is to cede our position in the world. That’s not acceptable to me and I know it’s not acceptable to any of you. And that’s why my administration has set a clear goal: to move from the middle to the top of the pack in science and math education over the next decade,” the President continued.
“We applaud the Obama Administration for setting clear goals and the private sector for stepping up to support the work of teachers as they inspire young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,” said Challenger Center President Dan Barstow.”
About Challenger Center
Using space exploration as a theme and simulations as a vehicle, Challenger Center and its international network of 47 Challenger Learning Centers create positive educational experiences that raise students’ expectations of success, fosters a long-term interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and inspires students to pursue studies and careers in these areas. Challenger Center’s network of Challenger Learning Centers across the United States and in Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Korea reach more than 400,000 students each year through simulated space missions and educational programs, and engage over 40,000 educators through missions, teacher workshops and other programs. To learn more about Challenger Center for Space Science Education, visit www.challenger.org.
Contact:
Rob Cork, Director of Communications
rcork@challenger.org
(703) 535-1361
Challenger Center for Space Science Education
300 N. Lee Street, Suite 301
Alexandria, VA 22314
