Increase research opportunities for college students

President boosts scientific education initiatives; details still emerging

Updated: Tuesday, January 12th, 2010 | By Louis Jacobson

During the presidential campaign, Barack Obama said that his administration would "support university programs that partner NASA, DOT, DOD and NOAA with academia to provide hands-on training experiences at the college level."

Given the way federal budgets are organized, it's hard to nail down proof that these specific efforts are under way. But it's reasonable to expect that an ongoing presidential initiative will help carry out this proimise.

Obama is making a broad push on science, technology, education and mathematics (or "STEM") education known as the "Educate to Innovate" initiative. On Jan. 6, 2010, Obama announced "several new and innovative partnerships involving major companies, universities, foundations, nonprofit organizations and government agencies designed to attract, develop, reward and retain outstanding educators" in the STEM fields.

In the final fiscal year 2010 appropriations bill for science, science education programs received $1.2 billion, $113 million above 2009. "The federal investment is intended to promote all aspects of STEM education from kindergarten through graduate school, with a particular emphasis placed on inquiry-based, hands-on approaches," said the congressional appropriations committees in a joint statement.

It's not yet guaranteed that any or all of the four agencies cited will see net increases in funding for "hands-on training experiences at the college level." But the administration has clearly made science education a priority, so as we wait for further details to emerge, we'll rate this promise In the Works.

Sources:

House and Senate appropriations committees, summary of fiscal 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill (joint news release), Dec. 8, 2009

The White House, "President Obama Expands "Educate to Innovate” Campaign for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education" (news release), Jan. 6, 2010,

E-mail interview with Bob Hansen, spokesman for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Education, Jan. 12, 2010

E-mail interview with Barry Toiv, vice president for public affairs at the Association of American Universities, Jan. 5, 2010