8 July 2004

PALO ALTO, CA - U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham announced today that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and its national laboratories are launching an initiative to promote science literacy and help develop the next generation of scientists and engineers.

"It is critical that we leverage the resources of this Department - and of all our national labs - to help create a new generation of scientists who will achieve the scientific breakthroughs and technological advances so essential to our future security and prosperity," Secretary Abraham told a gathering of researchers and graduate students at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, a DOE National Laboratory. "That is why I am announcing today a series of changes in the way the Department of Energy will address the growing and serious problem of science and math literacy in this nation."

Secretary Abraham outlined a seven-step program named STARS: Scientists Teaching and Reaching Students. The program is designed to enhance the training of America's mathematics and science teachers; grow students' interest in science and math, especially in the critical middle school years; and draw attention to the women and men who have done DOE science so very well - and thereby encourage young people and prospective teachers to pursue careers in math and science. More information about all of the components of the Department's science education initiative is available via the Internet at: www.science.doe.gov

Robert J. Goldston, Director of the U.S. Department of Energy's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), said, "Our Laboratory has a strong and successful program in science education, through which we reach out to students and to teachers, both by providing programs here at the Laboratory and in classrooms. We look forward to continuing these efforts and working with DOE in fostering the new initiatives."

PPPL conducts an array of programs for science teachers and students from elementary school through college. Some current activities include an intensive summer workshop for high school students centered around plasmas and energy, a residential program for high school physics teachers, and summer research experiences for academically talented college students and advanced high school students.

Since the early 1990's PPPL has been in a partnership with the Trenton, New Jersey, public school system as well as other local school districts. Activities include parent and family outreach efforts, teacher professional development, school support, and efforts to improve the science skills of students. PPPL scientists and engineers visit schools throughout New Jersey to conduct hands-on demonstrations on topics in plasma physics and fusion energy.

One of PPPL's most popular science education activities is the Science-on-Saturday program, a series of about eight lectures on various science topics held each winter that are geared to high school students and open to the general public. Science-on-Saturday presentations typically draw more than 300 individuals. PPPL is also the host of the New Jersey Regional high school and middle school Science Bowl® competitions.

PPPL, which is funded by the Department of Energy and managed by Princeton University, is a collaborative national center for science and innovation leading to an attractive fusion energy source. Fusion is the process that powers the sun and the stars. In the interior of stars, matter is converted into energy by the fusion, or joining, of the nuclei of light atoms to form heavier elements.

For additional information on PPPL Science Education programs, please visit the Internet at:
http://science-education.pppl.gov/.

Teachers and students can ask for more information about the department's science education initiative by sending an e-mail to science.education@science.doe.gov.

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