BOSTON, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- The poor showing of U.S. high school students on a general test of science and mathematics knowledge has Boston business leaders taking action.
A National Academy of Sciences study found U.S. 12th-graders performed below the international average for 21 countries on a general test of science and mathematics knowledge.
Boston technology executives have plans for a regional robotics competition for high school and middle school students March 23-25 at Boston University's Agganis Arena, the Boston Globe reported Sunday.
Raytheon Co. has initiated a national program called MathMovesU to fuel enthusiasm for math in middle schools by entering a contest at www.mathmovesu.com.
Soccer star Mia Hamm, BMX biker Dave Mirra and other celebrities will visit the winners' schools as substitute teachers.
"They (teens) really don't see the linkage yet between math and what it can do for your career," said William H. Swanson, Raytheon's chairman and chief executive. "The term engineer has more of a positive connotation in Asia and Europe than it does in the United States."
