[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 4 (Friday, January 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E36]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CONGRATULATING ILLINOIS MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE ACADEMY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 13, 2010

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
the staff, students, and faculty at the Illinois Mathematics and 
Science Academy for winning the 2009 Star Innovator in the Intel 
Schools of Distinction competition.
  Supporting mathematics and science in education is crucial to our 
national prosperity. The U.S. workforce is dramatically changing, and 
the demand for highly skilled jobs is rising. In the recent years the 
employment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics--or 
``STEM''--fields increased by an estimated 25 percent.
  Every year, Intel honors U.S. schools that demonstrate 21st century 
teaching and learning environments that promote excellence in math and 
science with the Intel Schools of Distinction awards. To be considered, 
schools must develop an environment and curricula that meet or exceed 
benchmarks put forth by national mathematics and science content 
standards.
  The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy uses competency-driven 
learning experiences to enable students to acquire strong bases of 
disciplinary content knowledge and skills. Students at IMSA design and 
conduct hands-on experiments, make observations, analyze data, draw 
conclusions, and communicate evidence-based principles. Students also 
delve into the scientific literature and build understanding by 
synthesizing information and investigation through writing. These 
skills and abilities are then extended with electives and through the 
Student Inquiry and Research, SIR, program. Through SIR, students 
partner with cutting edge scientists on diagnostics, nanotechnology, 
medical research, and much more.
  I am honored to join Representative Foster in congratulating the 
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in receiving this prestigious 
honor, the Star Innovator in the Intel Schools of Distinction Award.