Creating Future Scientists and Engineers. 2013 Keynote Speech

This article presents a summary of the keynote speech presented at the ITEEA Conference in Columbus, OH, March 4, 2013, by Steven Hicks. Hicks is former Director, Research & Development, Flavor & Fragrance Development Global Capability, for the Procter & Gamble Company. Educated as a chemical engineer, his outside interests include advocacy for better math and science teaching in public education. A STEM advocate for many years, Hicks says that his conviction comes from the belief that the competitive advantage of America must come from superior innovation. He says that America seriously risks losing that advantage, as American's did in manufacturing and services, if America doesn't get really serious about investing in making it greater. He further posits that America needs to be graduating not just more, but better-skilled engineers and scientists. Ten years from now, American corporations need to believe again that the very best engineers on the planet are coming out of U.S. schools. Hicks offers his personal list of what he believes are necessary skills for the innovators of the future, and closes by challenging educators to inspire their students to love technology, to be creative, and to teach their students to love the disciplines of math and science.