VOA标准英语2009-Obama Urges Efforts to Enhance Math, Science

The White House has launched a campaign to improve math and science education in the United States. President Barack Obama says the private sector¹ is coming through with talent and money to support the cause.

Paula Wolfson | White House 23 November 2009

President Barack Obama watches as a High School student catches a ball thrown by a 'Cougar² Cannon³', in a demontration at the Executive Office Building in the White House complex, 23 Nov 2009

The White House has launched a campaign to improve math and science education in the United States.  President Barack Obama says the private sector is coming through with talent and money to support the cause.

A student experiment in robotics was front and center at the White House.

The metal contraption built by two teenagers caught and threw a ball.  President Obama said the demonstration⁴ was held to underscore the importance of science and math education.

"It goes beyond the facts in a biology textbook or the questions on an algebra⁵ quiz," said President Obama. "It is about the ability to understand our world, to harness and train that human capacity to solve problems and think critically - a set of skills that informs the decisions we make throughout our lives."

Earlier this year, the president challenged the private sector to join with government in a nationwide effort to boost student achievement in science and mathematics.

He said corporations, universities, non-profit organizations, and professional associations representing millions of scientists, engineers and teachers have embraced the call.

"The initial commitment of the private sector to this campaign is more than $260 million," said Mr. Obama. "And we only expect the campaign to grow."

The money will be used to reach children of all ages.  There will be extra resources for teachers and even a new series of television programs for preschoolers.

President Obama will be directly involved in one aspect of the campaign - a White House science fair that will showcase top student experiments from across the country.

He said these young innovators deserve the same acclaim⁶ as school sports champions.

"If you win the NCAA [National Collegiate Athletic⁷ Association] championships you come to the White House," said President Obama. "Well, if you are a young person and produce the best experiment or design, the best hardware or software, you ought to be recognized for the achievement, too."

The president called for a greater emphasis on math and science education in a speech to the National Academy of Sciences in April.  He said students from many other countries are outperforming the United States, emphasizing his goal is to put America back on top within a decade. 

1 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

2 cougar   

n.美洲狮；美洲豹

参考例句：

• I saw a cougar slinking toward its prey.我看到一只美洲狮正在潜随猎物。
• I have never seen a cougar.我从未见过美洲豹。

3 cannon   

n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮

参考例句：

• The soldiers fired the cannon.士兵们开炮。
• The cannon thundered in the hills.大炮在山间轰鸣。

4 demonstration   

n.表明，示范，论证，示威

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• He gave a demonstration of the new technique then and there.他当场表演了这种新的操作方法。

5 algebra   

n.代数学

参考例句：

• He was not good at algebra in middle school.他中学时不擅长代数。
• The boy can't figure out the algebra problems.这个男孩做不出这道代数题。

6 acclaim   

v.向…欢呼，公认；n.欢呼，喝彩，称赞

参考例句：

• He was welcomed with great acclaim.他受到十分热烈的欢迎。
• His achievements earned him the acclaim of the scientific community.他的成就赢得了科学界的赞誉。

7 athletic   

adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的

参考例句：

• This area has been marked off for athletic practice.这块地方被划出来供体育训练之用。
• He is an athletic star.他是一个运动明星。