HP Supports Excellence in Math and Science
Education for Future Engineers

Kindergarten through 12th grade math and science problems, once found only in textbooks or on blackboards, increasingly can be found on educational Web sites, in multimedia packages, CDs, or in science kits. And students--the seedling electronic engineers of tomorrow--are learning to solve these problems themselves using analytical and creative thinking skills.

By making math and science exciting and fun, educators hope that current and future generations of K-12th grade students will integrate math and science with personal interests, naturally gravitating to electrical engineering and other high-technology careers.

With a worldwide critical shortage of skilled engineers and technology workers, getting school children interested in the sciences from the beginning is vital, educators say. The International Math and Science Study released in 1998 underscored the urgent need for grade school education to improve-fast. The study showed U.S. 12th grade students scored 19th in math and 20th in science, respectively, in tests taken in 21 countries. Some European countries fared far better: The Netherlands, Norway and Australia took top spots in the study, which was sponsored by the National Center for Educational Statistics.

HP believes a well-educated work force is essential to the economic health of every community and every country in which it operates. Some of the programs the company offers in the K-12 area include:

• HP's Educator's Corner Web site and newsletter.
  
  
• The HP Telementor program teams one child in grades 5-12 with one adult who acts an an E-mail pen pal, electronic coach, or "telementor" in math and science. Telementors answer technical questions and encourage students to talk about future careers. Created and developed by HP, the program is managed-with HP's support-by the Center for Science, Mathematics & Technology Education (CSMATE) in Fort Collins, Colorado.
  
  
• International grants programs supply equipment and cash to countries around the world; grants are also available wherever women and minorities across the globe have difficulties seeking professional careers in science and engineering.
  
  
• HP's hands-on science program helps school districts and HP sites work together to reform elementary science curriculum. The hands-on science grants provide $90,000 over three years to elementary school districts that are working with nearby HP sites. HP's program has grown from supporting six school districts in 1992 to 60 in 1998. As of 1998, these grants have reached more than 16,000 teachers and more than 350,000 K-12 students.
  
  
• HP science partners. Volunteers with science backgrounds help teach science and math by offering telephone or on-line technical support, using classroom science kits or focusing on specific lessons from new curricula.
  
  
• Middle/high school science initiative. An HP-funded program in Colorado works with science educators.