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May 04, 2010

Rep. Marcia Fudge's floor speech on H.Res.1213

As prepared for delivery

H.Res.1213 recognizes the need to improve the performance of American students in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This resolution supports the ideals of National Lab Day, a nationwide effort to connect students, STEM educators, and volunteers in building the STEM community. 
 
All children have an innate curiosity about the world around them. Research shows students begin to lose this inquisitiveness as early as middle school. During National Lab Day students in all grades participate in hands-on, scientific educational projects to demonstrate real life applications of the STEM fields. For example, a teacher in my district posted a project requesting a scientist to illustrate how chemistry is used in real-world applications and careers. The National Lab Day website will connect this teacher with a professional scientist to perform experiments and talk to students about careers in chemistry.  
 
These activities keep students interested and engaged in math and science throughout primary and secondary school. We hope that by keeping children interested early in life, more American students will enter STEM fields.
 
America has a rich history as the leader in technology and innovation. However, we are at serious risk of losing our world status if we don't train and engage our youth. Research shows that the United States is graduating significantly lower percentages of students in STEM fields than other nations. In 2006, for example, a little over 4 percent of American students received undergraduate degrees in engineering, compared to 33 percent in China.
 
We can change this trend. Last week, I was visited by a constituent named Sheari Rice. Sheari is a full-time engineer working toward a Ph.D. at Cleveland State University in my district. She is a strong, powerful role model for female minority students and said that she would be thrilled to volunteer for National Lab Day. People like Sheari will make this initiative successful and teach our children that careers such as hers are within their reach. There are Shearis in every district, and I hope my colleagues will join me in reaching out to these role models. Tell them they can visit www- dot- national- lab- day -dot- org to sign up for projects in their communities. I look forward to seeing successful Lab Days all around the Nation, and eventually, a more technologically competitive America.