Business-Higher Education Forum Members Support National Lab Day

White House initiative encourages hands-on science learning via enduring collaborations between individual STEM professionals, teachers and students

Washington, DC (May 12, 2010) — Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF) members across the country are supporting President Obama’s science education initiative—National Lab Day—designed to increase community-based collaborations between scientists, engineers, teachers and students.

The first National Lab Day, part of the president’s “Educate to Innovate” campaign to improve the performance of America’s students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), kicks off today. The initiative is intended to be much more than a single-day event, with enduring collaborations between individual STEM professionals, teachers and students being formed nationwide.

Raytheon Company Chairman and CEO William H. Swanson, who currently serves as BHEF vice chair, is supporting the initiative by encouraging his employees across the country to mentor students at all grade levels.

“Our nation’s future leadership in engineering and technology depends upon students having an interest and competency in math and science going forward,” Swanson says. “Initiatives such as National Lab Day help students to envision the many exciting opportunities that await them in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. For all these reasons and more, Raytheon is pleased to support this effort and encourage the spirit of volunteerism of Raytheon employees across the country.” Swanson also serves as the co-chair of BHEF’s STEM Initiative Working Group, along with Warren J. Baker, president of California Polytechnic State University.

Through the Science Teacher and Researcher (STAR) Program, Cal Poly and the California State University are partnering with federal, university and industry labs to provide aspiring and early career teachers with cutting-edge research experiences. “National Lab day is a great reminder of the importance of supporting high quality STEM learning in the nation’s schools” says Baker. “With the benefit of guidance received from scientist and master teacher mentors, STAR teachers are able to bring the excitement of discovery and inquiry-based learning into our schools, where they will help prepare the next generation of science and engineering innovators.”

“This initiative is an immediate way to fill a gap in our nation’s science education system,” says BHEF Executive Director Brian K. Fitzgerald. “By matching teachers with scientists in a variety of STEM areas, we can empower them to become even better educators working toward the goal of helping to keep our nation competitive.”

BHEF members’ organizations and universities who are encouraging their employees to participate in National Lab Day include:

• Raytheon Company
• California Polytechnic State University
• IBM Corporation
• Bayer
• Battelle
• Northrop Grumman