*EPF509 05/04/01
Excerpts: U.S. Recognizes Global Science and Technology Week
(Math and science education emphasized in May 6-12 event) (930)
Global Science and Technology Week will be recognized in the United States May 6-12 with a variety of activities. The White House Office of Science and Technology (OSTP) and the Office of the Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary of State will join private and public organizations in the effort to focus attention on the international nature of science and the importance of science and math education.
OSTP will be working to convey the message to children that studies in math and science in their own classrooms make them part of an international community engaged in a global enterprise.
OSTP is also promoting the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair as a highlighted activity of the week. Sponsored by the world's largest manufacturer of computer chips, the fair features a competition of science projects created by about 1,400 teenage students from around the world. It will be held in San Jose, California, May 6-12.
Further information on Global Science and Technology Week is available at www.ostp.gov/html/gstw.html
Following are excerpts from OSTP information materials.
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WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY
Executive Office of the President
Background
The Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Office of the Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary of State are working with private and public organizations to develop outreach activities for Global Science and Technology Week (GSTW). The week is scheduled for May 6-12, 2001, and will highlight the international nature of science and underscore the importance of math and science education in today's era of globalization.
--During Global Science and Technology Week, our Nation will highlight the international nature of science and underscore the importance of math and science education in today's era of globalization.
--Many of the greatest challenges and brightest hopes our Nation faces are of global concern and interest. We must help our young people appreciate that teams of international scientists are increasingly transcending national boundaries to work together, addressing global challenges that interest and affect all people--poverty, disease, space exploration.
--Through celebrating Global Science and Technology Week, we wish to underscore the importance of science and math education for continued U.S. participation in international science ventures, such as in the Human Genome Project, which will accelerate scientific breakthroughs and medical discoveries that will improve our lives.
--We must help our nation's youth understand that by studying math and science in their local communities, U.S. students are also part of a larger international science and technology enterprise. The great French scientist Louis Pasteur noted more than a century ago that "science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world."
--Thus, more than ever before, we must ensure that American youth understand the impact of science and technology on our global society, and we must provide every U.S. student with quality math and science education. And as U.S. citizens benefit from international scientists of diverse backgrounds and cultures working together to solve the complex problems of our day, our Nation needs a diversity of students to strive for excellence in math and science, regardless of race, gender or ethnicity.
--We increasingly live in the midst of a wide array of technologies. Many people across the planet now use a computer at home or work, drive automobiles controlled by computer chips, watch weather reports with satellite images only hours old, and take pharmaceuticals based on new biotechnologies unknown a decade ago.
--Certainly, math and science education is necessary for training America's future scientists and engineers to participate in the world's global scientific community, and to compete in the interdependent, high-tech marketplace.
--Yet, as the media highlights news about breakthroughs in genetic engineering, potential cancer-curing drugs, deep space probes and breathtaking images from the Hubble Space Telescope, math and science education is imperative for enabling all students to understand and evaluate today's headlines. In the twenty-first century, competency in math and science is an essential component of responsible citizenship.
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WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY
INTEL International Science & Engineering Fair
The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, or ISEF, is the Olympics, the World Series and the World Cup of science competition. Now in its 52nd year, the ISEF is the world's only international science project competition for students in the ninth through twelfth grades. The ISEF brings together students, teachers, corporate executives and government officials from around the world. Students compete for over $2 million in scholarships, tuition grants, scientific equipment and scientific trips.
Each year 3-5 million students complete science research projects, and roughly 1,200 of those students earn the right to compete at the ISEF. Throughout the United States and around the world, 500 Intel ISEF-Affiliated Science Fairs send two individual finalists and one team project to compete on the international level. Students compete for scholarships in 15 categories.
Countries represented in this year's final competition, to be held in San Jose, CA, May 6-12, include, in addition to the U.S. and 4 U.S. territories:
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Belarus
Brazil
Canada
Chile
China
Chinese Taipei
Costa Rica
Czech Republic
Denmark
Germany
Hungary
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Kazakhstan
Malaysia
Mexico
Netherlands
Northern Ireland
Norway
Peru
Philippines
Portugal
Russia
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Sweden
Thailand
Turkey
U.K.
Uruguay
Venezuela
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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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