Other nations catching up to United States.

Corporations and nations are in a race to make the next major scientific breakthroughs that will transform society and enhance our everyday lives. As Intel's lead technologist who oversees research labs across the globe, I spend a lot of time looking over my shoulder, wondering who will move a new concept more quickly to the marketplace or create a breakthrough that will eclipse even our most ambitious research efforts. What I see in the rear view is a cause for concern and action. Unless steps are taken now, the advantage the United States enjoys could be over within the next 10 years. India and China have built first-rate higher education systems and are churning out 10 times the number of engineers that we are in the United States. The Chinese government has created an entirely new degree program in software engineering, providing these new departments with bright young faculty members and new facilities. While enrollments in scientific and engineering disciplines swell in China and India, they are falling across the United States, and the quality of the students in the pipeline is declining as well. The most recent Nation's Report Card for science found that 41% of 8th graders and 46% of 12th graders performed below the basic level ([1][1]). The study revealed that although science achievement has improved for elementary school students over the last decade, it has remained flat for middle school students and declined among high schoolers. These results are similar to those of international studies ([2][2]). We need to move further and faster to strengthen science and mathematics education if we want the United States to continue to lead the world in scientific breakthroughs and technical innovations. As a junior high school student in the early 1960s, I had the opportunity as part of a special summer science program to visit the Hughes Research Laboratory in Malibu, California. There I saw the first ruby laser in development and was able to watch some of the finest scientists in the world growing the synthetic ruby that became the heart of the laser's intense beam of light. The visit inspired me so much that a few years later, I took up the study of applied physics at Cornell. We need to develop programs that bring young students into our top laboratories to see researchers at work first-hand. There is nothing like experiencing scientific discovery to excite someone about a career in science and technology. We also must pay more for quality teachers who understand the research process and can use that knowledge to instill a deep interest in science and mathematics in their students. Finally, the time is long past for a new national mission in science and engineering to capture the imagination of our youth the way the space program did following the launch of Sputnik. There is no doubt that we face challenges to our country that are every bit as great as those during the Cold War. Unfortunately, landing humans on Mars is not what we need and is only of interest to those inside the Beltway. Instead, energy independence and health care are prime examples of critical missions we must embrace at the national level. Where is our national leadership when the country needs a new mission that will ensure not only our security or health, but also our continued leadership in science and technology? 1. 1.[↵][3] The Nation's Report Card: Science 2005, see . 2. 2.[↵][4] Results from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study 1995, 1999 and 2003, see . [1]: #ref-1 [2]: #ref-2 [3]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1. in text" [4]: #xref-ref-2-1 "View reference 2. in text"