NSBE - September/October 2008 - (Page 66)

Election 2008 Diversity council Supports Obama STEm Bill By Kevin M. Briscoe Photo courtesy of Obama for America “We must ensure our nation remains a global leader in scientific advancement and technological innovation, and that begins with strengthening America’s schools.” — Sen. Barack Obama N SBE Programs Director Michael D. Smith, D.Eng. and other members of the Engineers Week Coalition Diversity Council met recently with Sen. Barack Obama’s congressional staff, to offer support for a new bipartisan science and technology education bill introduced by the Democratic presidential nominee and Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.). At the meeting, in the senator’s Capitol Hill office on July 15, council members also provided an overview of their organization, discussed the current state of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in the U.S. and gave feedback about the Obama-Honda–sponsored STEM Act of 2008. “Our purpose was to introduce the council to Obama’s office as a resource on diversity in STEM issues,” says Dr. Smith. “Recommendations were made regarding our ability to provide support on STEM diversity initiatives. (Our next steps are) to schedule a meeting with campaign staff and (Obama’s) Senate staff.” The “Enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education Act of 2008” — S. 3047 and H.R. 6104 — will create mechanisms for federal agencies and the states to coordinate STEM education strategies. “We must ensure our nation remains a global leader in scientific advancement and technological innovation, and that begins with strengthening America’s schools,” said Obama in a statement. “This critical legislation will help students develop critical thinking and effective problem-solving skills….” The bill, introduced in both houses of Congress, would: reorganize and elevate the President’s Office of Science and Technology Policy to a committee level, giving it a mandate to work proactively to design STEM strategies; create a STEM office within the U.S. Department of Education at the assistant secretary level; institute voluntary regional consortiums that develop K–12 STEM curricula at the state level; and create the National STEM Education Research Repository, to serve as a clearinghouse for the latest innovations in STEM. Added Honda, who was a science teacher and educator for more than 30 years: “We need to focus our efforts in teaching the scientists and engineers of tomorrow. Federal agencies unfortunately are not communicating among themselves. Current federal efforts in STEM education are neither coordinated, nor coherent, nor cooperative. This bill will create the mechanisms and venue for cooperative relationships to develop.” The Senate version of the bill has been referred to the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. The House bill, with 65 cosponsors, is in the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education. NSBE is a founding member of the Engineers Week Coalition Diversity Council, a formal alliance of engineering and diversity organizations dedicated to promoting and advancing diversity in engineering. Its purpose is to contribute to a more nationally coordinated strategy of diversity outreach. “We are an active part of the dialogue on STEM issues that impact underrepresented populations and move them into the pipeline to engineering-based careers,” Smith says. “This is an effort to address the perceived global shortage of engineering talent in industry and academia.” ■ Kevin M. Briscoe is a communications officer for Amtrak and a former editor of NSBE Magazine. 66 • september/october 2008 • www.nsbe.org http://www.nsbe.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NSBE - September/October 2008

NSBE - September/October 2008
Contents
The P.O.W.E.R. to Move
Legacy Through Education
The Programs Zone
International News
NSBE’s 2008–09 National Executive Board
NSBE’s Amazing Membership Growth Continued Through July ’08
Chapter News
SEEK Hits the Mainstream
The Values of Generation Y
The AE Niche
The 2008-09 Alumni Executive Board
CE Cover Election 2008
AE Members on the Move
NSBE Calendar
Advertisers Index

NSBE - September/October 2008