Last week, we published a story about President Obama’s extensive use of the bully pulpit to champion STEM education. And now, just a few days later, I’ve learned that former Vice President Al Gore is taking up the cause.
Gore, long known for his interest in environmental issues, especially combating climate change, on Nov. 17 will host what’s being billed as a “global online town hall” meeting aimed at drumming up greater interest among U.S. students in math and science, according to a press release.
The interactive event, being organized by Time Warner Cable, will also include inventor Dean Kamen and former astronaut Sally Ride.
“We want to put a human face on a very sobering statistics—the U.S. ranks 35th in math and 29th in science worldwide—to spark a new level of interest among our kids so they are prepared for what lies ahead,” Glen Britt, the CEO of Time Warner Cable, said in a press release. "[W]e need to do all we can to encourage our youth to take an active, enthusiastic interest in STEM and connect them to opportunities that stoke this passion.”
You’ll be able to access the town hall meeting here.