WASHINGTON – Today Tapping America’s Potential (TAP), a coalition of the nation’s leading business organizations, announced renewed commitments to improving science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the United States. In a letter sent to President Obama today, working with its member companies, TAP is pledging to establish partnerships with education groups, scientific societies and state leaders to improve and promote the teaching and learning of STEM-related knowledge and skills.

Recognizing the need to strengthen math and science education in America’s school systems, President Obama created National Lab Day, a nationwide initiative to foster scientific and mathematic experimentation and invention through collaborations among volunteers, educators and students in grades 6 – 12. More than 200 organizations representing over six million professionals and educators have already pledged support for National Lab Day.

John J. Castellani, president of Business Roundtable, said, “For years, our members have advocated for education policies that will ensure our future workforce is made up of strong innovative thinkers. President Obama’s announcement underscores the importance of science and math education in preparing students to succeed throughout their future careers. National Lab Day is a way to reinvigorate students’ enthusiasm for science and math—and for keeping our nation competitive in the global marketplace.”

“The Chamber applauds the President’s efforts to energize a new generation of innovators and pledges to work with our members to support the new STEM initiative,” said Arthur Rothkopf, senior vice president of U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

TAP is making the following commitments:

• Improve STEM teaching and learning by creating partnerships with education groups and scientific societies to create 100,000 communities of support and by strengthening the individual connections among K-12 educators, STEM professionals, entrepreneurs and other business leaders with strong STEM backgrounds.
• Support the involvement of member companies’ employees in National STEM Week and National Lab Day. During National STEM Week, TAP will work with scientific societies and education organizations to encourage employees to organize, publicize and join in public events that bring together students, parents and educators with STEM professionals, colleges and universities, and other industry partners.
• Work with the National Governors Association and other state leaders to strengthen existing – and form new – statewide STEM initiatives. Most immediately, TAP will offer assistance as states develop their applications for the U.S. Department of Education’s Race to the Top competitive grants program.