2 Million Minutes Documentary

[N7UJJ]

It is a great documentary, but be sure to realize the main point is that the U.S. had better wake up to the fact that we are doing little in the science/technology areas, especially in preparing young people. (sounds like a Dean Kamen speech?)

The movie really does not offer any solutions, but they imply that we need to overhaul the education system. Yet, when you watch the video note:
1. Which country has the best facilities.
2. Note the class size.
3. also remember, not everyone in China nor India are offered a good high school education, so the U.S. may lead in the percentage of educated students, but because of the huge population, China has a greater number of highly educated students. (There are more honor students in China than students in the U.S.)

Many who watch it see it as a call to improve the educational system (more math requirements, longer school days, more money) and that will increase our t ecological espertise.

However, there is a relatively large group of U.S. students who are excelling in math, science, technology and engineering and they are a diverse group: Large percentage of women, minorities, and some with learning disabilities. They are from public schools as well as private schools. They are scattered across the U.S. as well as other countries. And... like most sports programs, these students volunteer to learn and work more. Under the mantra of "Gracious Professionalism" they even assist each other to even greater knowledge and achievements.

When these kids go to college, they succeed, not just because they have greater ability (many don't) but because they have greater determination. They "hard fun" of creating solutions to real problems has prepared them to assume responsibility to get the job done, not just do what the teacher assigns and they are receiving their university degrees.

That is why it is important for FIRSTers to see this movie. It is becoming the talk of the education policy world in the U.S. You, however, are living examples that the education system that put men on the moon, won the cold war, created the digital world, is still capable of producing a top rated cadre of highly educated, innovative scientists and engineers. We just need to crank up the desire of students and our culture to achieve technological literacy. You know, the "message of FIRST"l You have a solution that people are looking for.

When FIRST teams are as numerous and as well supported as basketball teams, we will know that our culture is preparing young people to compete in the 21 st century and we are spending our 2 million minutes wisely.