Latest News > U.S. Business Community to Take Latest Innovations to Capitol Hill Today at Math and Science Fair

June 27, 2006

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U.S. Business Community to Take Latest Innovations to Capitol Hill Today at Math and Science Fair

Leading U.S. Companies Urge Congressional Support of Innovation-friendly Policies

Washington, DC - Today, Tapping America's Potential (TAP) - a coalition comprised of the nation's leading business organizations - is hosting its first ever "Math and Science Fair" and reception on Capitol Hill to showcase American innovation and encourage congressional leaders to support policies this year aimed at boosting U.S. competitiveness. The fair, which is being held tonight from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in B-357 Rayburn House Office Building, features exhibits from the nation's most innovative companies. The event is part of the U.S. business community's ongoing effort to garner support for math and science education policies that will prepare the next generation of scientists, technologists and engineers to compete in the global economy of the 21st century.

"Tomorrow's scientists and engineers can be found at student science fairs across the country. The Math and Science Fair we're sponsoring today is a unique way for Members of Congress to see and hear what companies are doing to help ensure our innovation leadership - and to encourage our nation's budding scientists to pursue careers in these fields," said John J. Castellani, President of Business Roundtable, a TAP founding member. "The public and private sectors must work together to make math and science education an integral part of our national agenda."

The fair will spotlight the latest technological innovations and math and science-oriented education programs from the nation's leading companies and will include remarks from Members of Congress and business leaders. The exhibits on display will range from a life-size, Nerf ball-throwing robot to a "ride and drive" in hydrogen-powered cars. Companies will also illustrate how basic research and development fosters innovation and serves as a launching pad for competitiveness.

"Representatives from a number of U.S. industry sectors are on Capitol Hill for tonight's fair because we understand that ensuring a robust economy and prosperous future for our children requires Congress to enact policies that boost our competitive edge," said Lezlee Westine, President and CEO of TechNet, also a founding member of TAP. "We are encouraged that competitiveness and math and science education policies have received attention from the Administration and Congress, and we urge our nation's leaders to throw their full support behind such reforms."

Exhibitors include: Abbott, Apple, Battelle, Business-Higher Education Forum, Business Roundtable, Carnegie Learning, Cisco, Council on Competitiveness, Explore Learning, ExxonMobil, General Motors, GlaxoSmithKline, HP, IBM, Intel, Lockheed Martin, McGraw-Hill, Motorola, National Association of Manufacturers, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, Nortel, Oracle, Raytheon, SAS, Semiconductor Industry Association, Siemens, SMARTHINKING, Tabula Digita, Telecommunications Industry Association, Texas Instruments, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and more.

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TAP is comprised of 16 prominent business organizations that represent the largest and most innovative companies in America. They have set the goal of doubling the number of U.S. science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates with bachelor's degrees by 2015.