Encourage contests and programs to interest students in science

Education grants would encourage innovative teaching in science, math

Updated: Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 | By Louis Jacobson

During the 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama promised to improve science and mathematics education through "nontraditional approaches, such as student design competitions and Internet-based collaborations to engage students and develop the next generation of scientists and engineers."

The economic stimulus bill passed in early 2009 includes one major program that could advance these goals.

The Race to the Top Fund is poised to provide $4.35 billion in competitive grants for education. Among other things, these grants are designed to encourage educational innovation, improve student achievement and high school graduation rates, and prepare students more effectively for college and careers. The program isn't up and running yet, but the first applications could be accepted as early as late 2009, according to the Education Department.

A draft proposal says that the program would give preferences to applications that would "cooperate with industry experts, museums, universities, research centers, or other ... community partners to prepare and assist teachers in integrating [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] content across grades and disciplines, in promoting effective and relevant instruction, and in offering applied learning opportunities for students."

The Race to the Top Fund isn't operational yet, and neither student design competitions nor Internet-based collaborations are cited by name. But the kinds of applications envisioned by this plan would seem to include such "nontraditional approaches." We consider this promise to be In the Works.

Sources: Education Department, " Race to the Top Fund Executive Summary: Notice of Proposed Priorities, Requirements, Definitions and Selection Criteria ," accessed Oct. 7, 2009

E-mail interview with Jodi Peterson, assistant executive director for legislative and public affairs at the National Science Teachers Association, Oct. 7, 2009