Once again, our nation has a powerful need for a revolution devoted to
creating scientists. As we face the challenges of climate change, global
competitiveness, biodiversity loss, energy needs, and dwindling food
supplies, we ?nd ourselves in a period where both scienti?c literacy and
the pool of next-generation scientists are dwindling. To solve these
complex issues and maintain our own national security, we have to
rebuild a national ethos based on sound science education for all, from
which a new generation of scientists will emerge. The challenge is how
to create this transformation. Those shaping national policy today, in
2009, need look no further than what worked a half-century ago. In1957,
SputnikcircledandsentaclarioncallforAmericatobecometheworld's most
technologically advanced nation. In 1958, Congress passed the National
Defense Education Act, which focused the national will and called for
scholars and teachers to successfully educate our youth in science,
math, and engineering. It was during this time period that Paul F.
Brandwein emerged as a national science e- cation leader to lay the
foundation for the changes needed in American education to create the
future scientists essential to the nation's well-being.