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Recently, there was an announcement by President Obama to expand the campaign – Educate to Innovate. This initiative aims at encouraging throughout the country the STEM education and enhancing quality of education in order to help the country remain at the forefront of competition in the field of technological research, science and innovation. In other words, this initiative strives to keep the country at least on the same level in the 21st century as it was in the 20th.

Acknowledging the fact that United States has significantly slipped from its position in the forefront in the field of engineering, technology, science and math, the president said this is definitely not acceptable and something has to be done to improve the situation.

He pointed out to various factors that have contributed to this widening gap including the severe shortage of STEM teachers and the wide gap in the pay structure for the educators in America as compared to other strong competing countries. Over the next decade, the President has set a goal for the country to move from the lower to the top bracket in math and science education.

The Educate and Innovate campaign is a result of this proposal which features a variety of diverse programs, initiatives and projects which will be carried out effectively with the express cooperation of the local, state and federal government, services corporation, popular non-profit organizations and private-public partnerships.

A list of participating organizations, private institutions and government agencies, projects and undertakings and its goals and components were announced by him. According to him, a lot of effort such as the ARRA or the American Reform and Recovery Act 2009 also known as the federal stimulus package are already underway.

The $4 billion Race to the Top fund is one of the most notable programs in the ARRA that requires all states to compete for the fund through effective innovation in science and math education. Participating states must also ensure enhanced quality of teachers through reforms in bureaucratic procedures.

President Obama introduced many initiatives that are at the heart of the Educate to Innovate program as well as a few public-private partnerships. For example under the initiative known as Intel Science and Math Teachers initiative, Intel has made a commitment of $200 million for ten years to help with advancement of science and math education in the country.

At least 100,000 teachers will be offered special training by the company. Elementary school teachers will be offered an intensive 80 hour course in professional development math. All grade science teachers will be given collaboration tools and web-based instructions that will include targeted professional development. Teachers of all the states will benefit from this initiative which is currently offered in four states.

Intel Science Talent Search will be renewed with a commitment by the company. Along with the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, these initiatives will reach American students numbering at least 600,000 every year. Inspired by Education is an online community that features media, forums, blogs, news and educator links which is also supported by Intel.