Statement of Congressman Van Hollen on 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act and Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act
Washington,
Apr 24, 2007 -
Madam Speaker, I rise today to support these important bills – the 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act and the Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act – and to keep our nation competitive in an era of global economic and scientific competition.
Now, more than ever, we must ensure that America remains at the forefront of discovery and innovation. To do that, we must engage our young people and encourage more of them to pursue careers in science, math, and engineering. These two bills accomplish that by fostering student potential in K-12 classrooms and by investing in long-term scientific research to keep more young scientists in our nation’s laboratories.
The 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science Math Scholarship Act would increase the number of scholarships for students majoring in the field of science, technology, engineering, and math who want to teach and would strengthen the skills of current STEM teachers by expanding professional development. These teachers would be better-equipped to excite and engage students in math and science.
The Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act would increase our investment in long-term scientific research and provide grants to young researchers. It would encourage our brightest young minds to think innovatively and push the boundaries of current research. Also, it will encourage young scientists to continue their study in U.S. institutions.
Madam Speaker, these bills will help stimulate exciting research and increase the number of students entering the fields of math and science. They are an essential part of our competitiveness agenda, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for them today.
Congressman Chris Van Hollen
