| Technology has become an integral component in the | | | | announced plans for programs that are intended to |
| daily lives of individuals in both their professional and | | | | rouse interest in science-related topics. Sally Ride, who |
| personal tasks. However, President Obama has | | | | was contacted by the Obama Administration to lend |
| expressed concerns that the American education may | | | | her support to this cause, told the newspaper "there is |
| not be preparing students to take advantage of | | | | a lot of corporate interest and foundation interest in |
| growing numbers of careers in the technology sector. | | | | this issue." |
| The demand for computer and information systems | | | | Such a declaration is not surprising, as many |
| managers is expected to increase by 16 percent over | | | | technology-based companies will come to rely on |
| the next seven years, which is faster than the | | | | employees who have been educated on the latest |
| average growth in all industries, according to the | | | | trends and discoveries in the scientific world. Some |
| Bureau of Labor Statistics. Unfortunately, American | | | | executives, including Bill Gates, have already launched |
| students have scored poorly in the science and math | | | | initiatives to improve technology education at the |
| categories of standardized tests in comparison to their | | | | collegiate level. |
| Asian and European counterparts, the New York | | | | Through his Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the |
| Times reports. | | | | Microsoft entrepreneur has announced he will donate |
| As a result, President Obama has launched the | | | | $12.9 million to improve education at several |
| Educate to Innovate program to foster greater | | | | technology-focused community colleges across the |
| participation and understanding in courses that could | | | | country, Campus Technology reports. These grants will |
| help students prepare for careers in the science, | | | | finance several new programs, including improvement |
| technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) fields. | | | | of web-based open learning environments and the |
| Several companies and organizations - including the | | | | creation of developmental mathematics open |
| MacArthur Foundation and Time Warner Cable - have | | | | educational resource materials. |