Help Bring Hands-on Learning to America’s Students

Last November, President Obama launched the “Educate to Innovate” campaign, a public-private partnership designed to move American students from the middle to the top of the pack in science and math achievement over the next decade.

One of the initiatives that President Obama announced was National Lab Day, a nationwide movement to support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in our schools by bringing hands-on, discovery-based lab experiences to students. Teachers can register on the National Lab Day website and can request funding or describe a project they would like to do in collaboration with STEM professionals. Scientists, engineers, and other volunteers can help by upgrading lab equipment, assisting with hands-on projects, mentoring students, or hosting field trips.

Dr. Arden Bement, Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), recently sent a letter to NSF employees and the many scientists and engineers that NSF supports, urging them to get involved in National Lab Day. Although National Lab Day is a year-round activity, teachers and schools around the country will be organizing events on May 12th—so sign up now!