WASHINGTON, D.C. — April 2, 2008 — A summit of top leaders in education, business, government, mathematics and science will gather on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 in Washington, D.C. to address the alarming decline in American competitiveness and preeminence in science and technology.

“Rising Above the Gathering Storm – Two Years Later: Accelerating Progress toward a Brighter Economic Future” is being convened by the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) along with the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering and Institute of Medicine. The convocation is scheduled from 7:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. April 29 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Two years ago, the blue-ribbon committee report by the National Academies, “Rising Above the Gathering Storm,” warned that the U.S. is falling behind in math and science education, endangering America’s competitiveness and national security. The national convocation on April 29 will address what has happened since then.

Moderators include CBS News “Face the Nation” host Bob Schieffer and confirmed speakers include:

• Senator Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn, chairman of the Senate Republican Conference
• Norman Augustine, CEO emeritus, Lockheed Martin and chair, “Rising Above the Gathering Storm”
• Craig Barrett, chairman of the board, Intel
• U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman
• U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon, D-Tenn
• Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-TX
• U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-TX
• Sally K. Ride, former astronaut and professor of physics, U.C. - San Diego
• U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings
• Charles Vest, president, National Academy of Engineering and president emeritus, MIT
• U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, R-VA

The National Math and Science Initiative is an innovative non-profit organization that was created in 2007 as a result of the “Rising Above the Gathering Storm” report. NMSI’s mission is expanding programs with proven success in math and science education across the nation. The initial focus is on multiplying two programs with 10 years of data proving they work: a training and incentive program for Advanced Placement * courses and UTeach, a program to recruit, prepare and retain qualified math, science and computer science teachers.

*AP and Advanced Placement Program are registered trademarks of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.