After last week’s events, a return to teaching fundamentals has to be a good thing. President Obama hosts the White House Science Fair today which focuses on core programs like science, technology, engineering and math or STEM. The program will focus as a springboard for his new “Educate to Inovcate” campaign which the White House Press Office describes as “an all-hands-on-deck effort to get more girls and boys inspired to excel in these key subjects.”
“When students excel in math and science, they help America compete for the jobs and industries of the future,” said President Obama in a statement. “That’s why I’m proud to celebrate outstanding students at the White House Science Fair, and to announce new steps my Administration and its partners are taking to help more young people succeed in these critical subjects.”
And just what are the next generation of scientists working on? There’s a $250 prosthetic arm that’s cheap thanks to 3D printing; cooling pads for athletes and even “crowdsourcing” cancer detection. The selection runs the entire spectrum of STEM and showcase what the White House is hoping to promote through the Innovate campaign.
“If you win the NCAA championship, you come to the White House. Well, if you’re a young person and you produce the best experiment or design, the best hardware or software, you ought to be recognized for that achievement, too,” the President’s statement said.
In the meantime, check out the video of President Obama and a marshmallow gun from last year.