Documentary on the topic, the three branches and you. Show varying points of view and must be submitted by january 20th, 2015. Go to studentcam. Org. Grab a camera and get started today. Next, a hearing on private sector efforts to improve science, technology, engineering and math edition, otherwise known as stem. Segway inventor and a panel of High School Students participating in a National Robotics competition program. This is a little under subcommittee on research and technology will come to order. Good morning. Welcome to todays hearing. Todays program is engaging student and stem, which you know is a very important subject. In front of you is truth and testimony disclosures for todays witnesses. And now i recognize myself for five minutes for an Opening Statement. Im happy to call to order the First Research and Technology Subcommittee hearing of the new year. Today we learn about initiatives and Science Technology or mathematics in stem, education and how these companies, businesses, and organizations engage students in the important fields. A report released by the National Science board in 2012 indicates that science and Engineering Work force historically grows faster than the total work force. Although science and engineering growth rate maintained a higher rate than the total work force the last decade has seen much lower growth. In one of the most essential aspects into keeping america the at forefront of Stem Education advancement and development is engaging students at a young age and keeping them interested in pursuing stem degrees and careers. As a cardio tho rasic surgeon and father of four children between ages of 9 and 20, i understand that such programs and activities are necessary to enhance americas Economic Growth and competitiveness. With the federal Government Spending nearly 3 billion across 13 federal agencies on Stem Education programs each year, we must ensure that government is leveraging rather than duplicating private sector Stem Education initiatives. Our hearing today will provide a unique opportunity for our first panel of witnesses to discuss the innovative projects and programs taking place at their private sector businesses and educational institutions and for our second panel of witnesses to discuss their personal experiences with these types of initiatives. I look forward to hearing from all of our witnesses and i would like to thank them all for participation and offering their time and insight into the private sector success in Stem Education. At this point, i now recognize the Ranking Member, gentleman from illinois for an Opening Statement for five minutes. Thank you, chairman. I want to thank all of our witnesses for being here today. One of the reasons that i had joined this committee, when i first came into congress is because the strong interest in working to improve math and Science Education in this country. Im only im one of only a dozen engineers in the house and senate. And my wife was a math major in college and unlike me, her stem training led her directly into a career in actuary. From my own Family Experience and what i have seen and heard from others, im very aware of how important it is that we do a good job of engaging and educating student at all levels in stem fields. With the latest results we are reminded yet again the troubling statistics on the state of u. S. Math and Science Education. U. S. K1 student ranking in the middle of the pack in International Comparisons in math and science aptitude. We see the problems, im constantly hearing from Manufacturing Companies in my district that they have a hard time finding employees who have even basic math and science skills. In higher education, we have far too few students pursuing degrees . Certain stem fields to meet the needs of domestic industry. For example, less than 2. 4 of College Student graduate with a degree in Computer Science. Despite tremendous demand for these skills. And that number has dropped over the last decade. Our troubles start from earliest grades and are part after negative feedback cycle that we have to break. Student who arent learning the necessary skills by the time they graduate high school are much less likely to pursue and succeed in stem fields in college. When we lose an undergraduate student from stem field we lose a scientist or engineer who could choose a career in teaching the next generation. We know these to be complex problems with no easy or one size fits all solution. Thats why partnerships between the private sector, federal and state governments, colleges, universities, local school district, national labs, science museums, zoos an aquarium, aul and all types of nonprofits are nor important today than ever. U. S. Still has some of the best k12 schools, colleges, universities in the world. Top student at all levels compete easily with top student from around the world. Thats why im glad we have witnesses here today that can speak to today to types of stems and keep them engaged in stem fields. In particular Northwestern University office of Stem Education partnerships connects k12 teachers and students to world class stem resources of Northwestern University. In corporations in the state of illinois such as boeing, baxter, google, hewlettpackard, ibm and more. And im a proud graduate of northwestern in chemical engineering. Today private sector and University Stem engagement programs is the topic. I look forward to hearing from individuals who dedicated their careers to improving stem engagement in learning in their communities across district. Across the nation. I also look forward to hearing from student who have participated in the first robotics competition. We also want to say a few words about the rules in the partnership. The federal government spent 14 billion across 14 agencyes. It is important to put that number in perspective. Less than half of that is focused at k12 level. Federal investments and k12 education overall account for only 10 of total u. S. Funding for k12 education and stem funding is likely much less than 10 . So the federal role is limited but is also unique and necessary. The National Science foundation is a single most important source of Research Development and testing of Innovative New molds for some education. The federal government also has an unrivalled ability to Leverage Private sector in Stem Education. Entrepreneurs like mr. Kayman and mr. Partovi did not have to start from scratch. They are smart businessmen investing in, perfecting, and expanding evidencebased ideas and programs. So while the federal government cannot begin to solve our Stem Education challenges alone, we would be remiss to ignore the Important Role the government does play. I hope this committee will continue to exercise its Oversight Authority to ensure that we get the most out of our relatively small but critical federal Stem Education program. Thank you, chairman, for calling this hearing. And witnesses for taking the time today to offer insights and experiences. And with that, i yield back. Thank you mr. Lopinski. I now recognize the chairman of the full committee, gentleman from texas, mr. Smith. Thank you, mr. Chairman. First of all, let me comment on the atmosphere i ran into when i entered the room before the hearing officially began and the gavel came down. Because it was an atmosphere unlike almost any other hearing ive walked into. And the atmosphere was almost festive. People were excited because they are entering this subject. And i think were excited also about what were going to hear from our Witnesses Today and the case of both panels. But this a subject that fascinates us, i think, and we all realize is absolutely a key to the future prosperity of this country. So it was fun to walk into that kind of an environment. Mr. Chairman, to achieve the innovations of tomorrow, you must better educate American Students today. The federal government spends nearly 3 billion each year on signs, technology, engineering and math education activities. These programs are found primarily at National Science foundation and department of education. Today we will hear from leaders and experts from private sector organizations that focus on engaging students in Stem Education. Two of them were established for this express purpose. We need to learn what is taking place outside of the federal government so that we can be sure we are not spending taxpayer dollars on dupe olympictive programs and we need to more effectively use taxpayers dollars to gain more benefit for our student and our country. It is critical to understand what is working and thousand build on that success. Leaders of the organizations and students are a pants here today are in a good place to give us good information. Pants here tod are in a good place to give us good information. A good stem work force will help our prosperity but we must persuade our youth to go into Science Technology for these careers. Great strides are made today. Like institutions of rose home of technology and Northwestern University. Unfortunately American Students still lag behind students of other nations when it comes to Stem Education. American students, according to one poll, ranked 26th in math and 21st in science. This is not the record of a country that expects to remain a world leader. We need to ensure that young adults have the scientific and mathematic skills to strive and thrive in a technologybased economy. You cant have innovation without advances in technology and the stem student of the day will lead touts cutting Edge Technologies of tomorrow. The students participating in our second panel are proof that a Stem Education can prepare our next generation of scientists, engineers,antant prem entrepren leaders. Thank you. I now recognize ms. Johnson for her Opening Statement. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you for this hearing. I would like to ask all of the student that are present to stand. I want to congratulate you. Im truly impressed that by your leadership and your accomplishments, that you should be very proud. Because you will be our leaders of tomorrow. Thank you for standing. Unfortunately, too many students across the country do not have the opportunities to participate in inspiring stem activities or to receive a high quality Stem Education. Once again, our students were just in the middle of the pack in the latest ipt National Tests of science and math proficiency. Add long visit just last night with the minister of education from japan. And we talked about that a lot. We can no longer depend on our top few percent to maintain the strong and vibrant economy with good highpaying jobs in our communities. Our Competitive Edge will be lost if we do not vastly improve Stem Education in this country for all of our students. We know that this is a complex challenge that no entity can solve alone. Theres no silver bullet. And there is a role for all the key stake holders, public and private. Today we hear from two two entrepreneurs and two leaders in Stem Education. I congratulate them for their important work and thank them for taking time to provide their insight to this committee today. But i also want to emphasize the importance in improving Stem Education. Many federal stem programs, including those supported by the National Science foundation, and the department of education, are making a difference in universities, community colleges, and k12 across the nation. There are also many valuable programs being funded through other federal size agencies, such as nasa, noaa, and the department of energy. These agencies are filled with thousands of scientists and engineers who can make a difference in their own communities for students across the country. As working stem professionals, the real life work that they do using stem is so inspiring to our students, take an astronaut to the classroom. You will see what im talking about. But the federal role is more than that. The National Science foundation is premier Stem Research organization in the country. For decades, nsf has been a leader in developing a most effective and inspiring stem crick u la and programs in and out of the classroom. When the private sector invests in stem, they have proven outcomes. The National Science administration more than any other organization is responsible for building that evidence base. I hope this committee will continue to exercise its responsibility to conduct oversight nsf and other age he is not is Stem Education programs. Today, though, i look forward to hearing from the experts on the first panel about their program. And how we measure that impact. I also look forward to hearing from the students about what initially sparked their interest in stem. And what role their teachers, parents and other mentors have played in helping them to reach their goals. I thank all of you for being here today to share this experience. I want to see the United States move from 26th to 1. When i came here over 20 years ago, we were number 18. We are going backwards. We are challenged. We got to meet that challenge. Thank you. Thank you. If there are members who wish to submit additional Opening Statements, your statements will be added to the record at there point. This time, im going to introduce our first panel of witnesses. Our first witness today is mr. Dean kayman. Mr. Kayman is an interventer, entrepreneur, founder of for inspiration of and recognize of science and technology otherwise known as first. Founder and president of decka research and development corporation. Our second witness is mr. Hoti patovi, he is an inventor, entrepreneur, on the founding teams of tell me, worked on facebook, drop box, and others as an investor and startup adviser. He cofounded education nonprofit code. Org. Mr. Partovi is a graduate of harvard. Our third witness is dr. Kimmie jonah. Dr. Jonah is a professor of learning sciences and Computer Science at Northwestern University. He is the founder and direct over northwesterns office of Stem Education partnerships. Dr. Jonah holds ph. D from northwestern and bs in Computer Science and psychology from university of wisconsin madison. Our fourth witness, from my district, is dr. Phil ip cornwell, Vice President for Academic Affairs and professor of Mechanical Engineering at rose holeman institute in terre haute. He received his bs in Mechanical Engineering and ma and mba from princeton. Spoken kem is limited to 5 min puts. There will be latitude given. And i now recognize mr. Kayman for five minutes to present his testimony. This is the super bowl. The super bowl of smarts, that is. A livechanging competition. Its kids having fun. Competing, working together, to dream up, design, and build robots. Just an exhilarating feeling. Youre like, im using power tools. Having the hardest fun theyll ever have. And theyre becoming our next generation of engineers and innovators. First for inspiration and recognition of science and technology. My teachers were some of the greatest influences on my life. By challenging and trusting me, these mentors got me to understand that i could do anything that i put my mind to. First mentors are changing kids lives everyday. Professional engineers. Teachers. Parents. Teaming up with young people, not just to build robots, but to build confidence and self respect. Im around p em that i get along with, that we talk computerlingo with. First founded by one of our greatest inventors, dean kayman. He sees that kids look up to sports heros and movie stars. We said we have a culture obsessed with sports and entertainment, lets inspire kids to be like Shaquille Oneal does thousands of hours a week bouncing a ball. Scientists and engineers ought to stand side by side as athletes and entertainers as role molds. Here at the white house we will lead by example. We will show young people how cool science can be. Go fir