In "Education in America: Don't Fail Me," we learn that at this very moment, America's future is at stake.
"If we don't generate the next group of innovators, scientists, engineers, and problem solvers," inventor Dean Kamen warns, "our standard of living, our quality of life, our security, will plummet!"
American students rank 17th in science and 25th in math when compared to other industrialized nations. They don't have the skills to take on the high tech jobs of the future.
This is because of how and what we teach American kids. It is also because of a culture that values sports and celebrities above all.
The United States needs to change the way students are taught math and science, and children need to be encouraged and inspired to take the toughest classes in those subjects.
There is a nationwide competition designed to motivate high school students to take those classes, push themselves, and learn more (FIRST). Students Maria Castro, Brian Whited, and Shaan Patel are actively involved in it. But is it too late for them? Is it too late for us?
For Teachers and Others Who Want to Discuss the CNN Program... Pre and Post Program Questions, Learning Activities and Curricula Connections can be found at:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/studentne...ide/index.html
FIRSTŪ Robotics Competition Teams featured in the CNN Special include:
FRC Team 842, Falcon Robotics, Carl Hayden High School, Phoenix, Ariz.
FRC Team 1403, Cougar Robotics, Montgomery High School, Skillman, N.J.
FRC Team 3675, Eagletrons, Seymour High School, Seymour, Tenn.
Twitter Hash Tag for "Education in America: Don't Fail Me":
#dontfailme