Obama Announces $240 Million in New STEM Commitments

President Obama hosted the 2015 White House Science Fair yesterday to celebrate the student winners of a broad range of STEM competitions from across the country.

As part of the Fair, President Obama announced more than $240 million in new private-sector commitments to inspire and prepare more girls and boys–especially those from underrepresented groups–to excel in the STEM fields. With this commitment, the President’s “Educate to Innovate” campaign has resulted in more than $1 billion in financial and in-kind support for STEM programs.

Yesterday’s announcements include, among others:

• $150 million philanthropic effort to empower a diverse cadre of promising early-career scientists to stay on track to become scientific leaders of tomorrow;
• $90 million “Let Everyone Dream” campaign to expand STEM opportunities to under-represented youth;
• $25 million Department of Education competition to create science and literacy themed media that inspires students to explore;
• 120 universities and colleges committing to train 20,000 engineers to tackle the “Grand Challenges” of 21st century; and,
• CEO coalition Change the Equation committing to expand effective STEM programs to an additional 1.5 million students this year.

Read the White House Fact Sheet for more information.