In his 2006 State of the Union address, President Bush pledged to “give our nation's children a firm grounding in math and science,” through a new American Competitiveness Initiative, which will fund training for science teachers, and ensure school math and science courses are rigorous and engaging. Many of his recommendations echoed those in this 2005 report from the National Academy of Sciences.

The Trial Urban District Assessment (TUDA), a special project of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, began assessing performance at the district level in 10 urban districts in 2002 with reading and writing assessments of fourth- and eighth-grade reading and mathematics. During the last two years, seven of the 10 districts posted larger gains than their peers nationwide in fourth-grade reading; eight districts posted larger gains than their peers nationwide in fourth-grade math; and, in eighth-grade, the percentage of students with basic math skills has increased in seven districts more than it has across the nation. In many of the systems, minority students are outperforming their peers elsewhere.

The Math/Science Network, a non-profit organization composed of educators, scientists, mathematicians, parents, students, community leaders, and government and corporate representatives, pursues as its mission the promotion of the continuing development in mathematics and science of all people, with particular emphasis on the needs of women and girls. Our primary goal is to increase the participation, retention, and advancement of girls and women in mathematics, science, engineering, and technology.

Rap-inspired math, spelling and science lessons are fast becoming music to the ears of kids in both urban and suburban settings. Superheroes like Grammar Man and CDs like De-U Records' "Multiplication Hip-Hop" aim to be the Schoolhouse Rock for a new generation. Join Rob Capriccioso as he takes a look behind the music.

Science News for Kids is devoted children ages 9 to 13. The site offers timely items of interest to kids, accompanied by suggestions for hands-on activities, books, articles, Web resources, and other useful materials.

Children need a great science education and parents can do a lot to help make that happen. Here you'll find a world of information, activities, and ideas that offer "something scientific" for the whole family.

Women represent 46 percent of the total workforce, but only 25 percent of the IT workforce, and just 10 percent of the nation's top technology jobs. Girl Scouts is working to educate the public and policymakers on what it takes to keep the doors open to science and technology careers for girls, who typically lose interest in science and math by age 12.

For the first time ever this year, talented U.S. high school students had a chance to participate in a nationwide “Biology Olympiad”—then go on to represent the U.S. in an international competition. Rob Capriccioso reports on how much the contest and the Center that supports it mean to an often-overlooked group of students—gifted young science lovers.

Ten baby bass, looking for a good home. That's the starting point for a hands-on science program centered on the Du Page River in Illinois. Victor M. Cassidy reports that the lessons learned are far-reaching.