"We know math and science skills are the common currency everyone needs to have to succeed in the increasingly competitive global economy." "To keep America competitive in the 21st century, we must improve the way we teach math and we must give more students the chance to take advanced math and science courses in high school." "If we raise the bar, our students will rise to the challenge."

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings last night addressed the Intel Science Talent Search Award winners. She discussed the importance of math and science and rigorous coursework in preparing American students to be globally competitive. Following are her prepared remarks:

Thank you, Craig Barrett, for that kind introduction. Craig has been a leading voice for raising standards in our schools, and he was one of the first people I met with to talk about global competitiveness. Craig, I want to thank you for your unprecedented work here and around the globe to create a world-class teaching corps in the areas of math, science and technology. No wonder everyone at Intel calls you the "Professor."

Let me begin by congratulating all the students here tonight, along with their parents and teachers. You should all be proud. It's an honor to be with you. I want to thank Elizabeth Marincola and the Science Service for running this important competition.

And we're all honored to be here with a real pioneer, who represents the best of the American spirit, Senator John Glenn. You're an inspiration to all of us, and thank you for your commitment to improving math and science education.

Most Tuesday nights, I must confess I'm home watching American Idol with my younger daughter. And while we're sitting around looking for the next big star on television, 16-year-old Adam Solomon, one of the finalists here tonight, has been looking at much bigger stars in the sky—Brown Dwarfs.

As a mom, I would be happy if my daughters started looking for their idols in this room. And Barbara Barrett would be a good place to start. She's been a CEO, a diplomat, a pilot, and a trailblazer for women all over the world. Barbara and I have traveled to Afghanistan together where's she working with the US-Afghan Women's Council to help Afghan women shape their country's political and economic future. Here at home, I want to give Barbara a special thanks for her commitment to math and science education, especially for young girls.

We know math and science skills are the common currency everyone needs to have to succeed in the increasingly competitive global economy. In the last century, America led a communications revolution that connected people around the world like never before. And thanks to companies like Intel, information is traveling around the globe faster than ever. If we as a country are going to keep our edge, we must run faster. And we must break new ground ... just as we Americans always have. We'll be looking to you, the students here tonight, to help lead the way.

For the last 65 years, this talent search has been honoring America's top young scientists. Past winners have gone on to win Nobel Prizes, Fields Medals, and National Medals of Science.

Your projects tonight are as diverse as your backgrounds. You come from 19 different states, but as a Texas braggadocio, I need to ask, "Where are all the Texans?" I'm sad to see there are no Texas natives in your ranks, though I'm proud to have Evan Gawlik from North Carolina attending school at the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science in Denton, Texas. Evan, you'll have to carry the Texas banner for the night.

As I was saying, you come from all over the country and all different types of schools. I've visited a few of them—Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia and Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in Maryland. But you all have one thing in common: You're problem solvers. And the world today needs problem solvers with strong math and science skills more than ever: to fight AIDS, cure cancer, end hunger, develop new renewable sources of energy, and improve the lives of people around the world. We face complex challenges that will require creative, critical thinkers. And you are up to the task.

You're part of a new service generation, committed to answering this call. According to a recent study by UCLA, college freshmen are volunteering in record numbers and are more committed to helping others than at any other time in the past 25 years. Your generation understands the importance of serving the greater good.

And whatever you do later in life, the skills you learned in math and science class will serve you well. Craig Barrett will tell you his time in the lab at Stanford gave him an edge in the boardroom. And he isn't alone. More S&P 500 CEOs have majored in engineering than any other field. And math is becoming essential in fields ranging from business to media to policymaking. I can't say it any better than the recent Business Week cover story: "Math Will Rock Your World."

Tonight, I want to ask you to help spread this message. One recent study found that 84 percent of middle school students would rather clean their rooms, take out the garbage or go to the dentist than do their math homework. These students need to get with the program, and so do their parents. A study last month found that 70 percent of high school parents say their children already get enough math and science in school.

To keep America competitive in the 21st century, we must improve the way we teach math and we must give more students the chance to take advanced math and science courses in high school. About 40 percent of high schools offer no Advanced Placement courses. And that must change, especially when we know our students will need these skills to succeed in the future. We must stop rationing opportunity, especially in our inner cities.

As President Bush said, "If we ensure that America's children succeed in life, they will ensure that America succeeds in the world." If we raise the bar, our students will rise to the challenge. We've seen it happen in the four years since we passed the No Child Left Behind Act. For the first time ever, we as a nation are holding ourselves accountable for ensuring all students can read and do math on grade level regardless of their race, income, or zip code by 2014. And as a result, reading scores for 9-year-olds have increased more over the last five years than in the previous 28 years combined.

Now we must build on this foundation to extend the benefits of higher standards and accountability for results to our high schools where achievement has been basically flat for 30 years. I've heard all the excuses for why things can't be done... but the students here today didn't get where they are by saying things were impossible. They're looking for ways to explore Mars, restore hearing to the deaf, and treat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Where many people see a problem, they see a challenge worth solving.

That's the American way. Time and time again, from the Wild West to outer space, America's can-do attitude has broken new ground. And together, we will ensure America continues to lead on the frontiers of the future.

Thank you, and congratulations again on this tremendous honor.

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