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Media Advisory 07-028

National Science Board Approves and Takes to Congress National Action Plan for 21st Century STEM Education

Board to propose independent national council to coordinate STEM education

Photo of a girl and woman engaged in a hands-on science experiment

Young girls receive hands-on opportunities to engage in science activities.


October 2, 2007

This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current contact information at media contacts.

The National Science Board (Board) today approved and tomorrow will rollout in a Congressional briefing a national action plan for 21st century education in STEM--science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Top among the Board's recommendations are increased coordination of STEM education across the nation--including the formation of an independent, non-Federal National Council for STEM Education--and the preparation of an adequate supply of highly effective STEM teachers. Members of the Board and Members of Congress will be present and make remarks.

The Board's National Action Plan for Addressing the Critical Needs of the U.S. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education System will lay out strategies for collaboration among stakeholders from local, state and federal governments, as well as nongovernmental STEM education stakeholder groups to collaborate.  Recommendations to be discussed at the briefing will center on voluntary national STEM content guidelines, alignment of STEM learning across grade levels, increased STEM teacher compensation, and the role of higher education. The goal is to ensure that all American students receive the skills and knowledge required for success in the 21st Century.

WHAT: Briefing on National Science Board Action Plan for STEM Education

WHEN: Wednesday, October 3, 2007, 11 a.m. to noon.

WHERE: HC-7, U.S. Capitol

Presenters:

  • Dr. Steven C. Beering, Chairman, National Science Board and President Emeritus, Purdue University
  • Dr. Elizabeth Hoffman, Chairman, Education and Human Resources Committee, National Science Board and Executive Vice President and Provost, Iowa State University
  • Dr. Jo Anne Vasquez, Member, National Science Board and Vice-Chairman, Commission on 21st Century Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and Director of Professional Development, Policy and Outreach, Center for Research on Education in Science, Math, Engineering, and Technology, Arizona State University

Representatives of key STEM education stakeholder groups and members of the Board-established Commission on 21st Century Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics will be present. Endorsements from select state governors will also be made available.

Journalists interested in attending and covering the roll-out on Capitol Hill should contact Lisa-Joy Zgorski at (703) 292-8311.

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The National Science Board was established by Congress in 1950, and has two important roles. It provides oversight for, and establishes the policies of, the National Science Foundation. It also serves as an independent body of advisors to both the President and Congress on broad national policy issues related to science and engineering research and education. For more information on recent actions of the National Science Board, please visit: http://www.nsf.gov/nsb.

-NSF-

Media Contacts
Lisa-Joy Zgorski, NSF, (703) 292-8311, email: lzgorski@nsf.gov

Program Contacts
Elizabeth Strickland, PhD, Board Office, (703) 292-4527, email: estrickl@nsf.gov

The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.

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