President Barack Obama walks along the Colonnade with John Holdren, Nov. 4, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Latest Blog Posts

  • OSTP Briefing on R&D and STEM Education in the 2013 Budget

    OSTP will hold a briefing on the research, development, and STEM education portions of the President's FY2013 Budget on Monday, February 13, 2012.

  • A (Draft) Mortgage Form Simplified by You, for You

    Last week, President Obama laid out a plan to help responsible homeowners who were struck by the housing crisis. Atop the proposed “Homeowner Bill of Rights” is a pledge to simplify mortgage disclosure forms. Thankfully, inspired by the principles of running a “lean startup”, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau tapped into the expertise of the American people through the “Know Before You Owe” initiative.

  • Don’t Mess With Texas … Science Students

    At the White House Science Fair, two Texas teams epitomize the President’s call for “hands-on” learning to help up America’s game in STEM education.

  • Rewarding Inventors Who Work to Solve Global Challenges

    Today at the White House, United States Patent & Trademark Office Director Dave Kappos launched the Patents for Humanity pilot program, which creates business incentives for patent holders to engage in humanitarian issues.

  • Partnering to Modernize our Nation’s Air Transportation System

    On January 31st, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launched a new, online dashboard providing increased transparency into a vital component of NextGen's modernization of our Nation’s air transportation system infrastructure.

  • Startups for Healthier Veterans, Smarter Kids, and Lower Utility Bills

    What do healthier veterans, smarter kids, and lower utility bills have in common? In each of these areas of national interest – health care, education, and energy – startups are already making a difference.

  • Alaskan Permafrost Mapped from the Skies

    Last week, the Interior Department’s US Geological Survey (USGS) released details about a landmark airborne surveyof permafrost in the Yukon Flats of Alaska that yielded some of the most detailed, data-rich maps of permafrost ever generated.

  • Celebrating Digital Learning Day

    Yesterday we joined over 17,000 teachers, nearly 2 million students, and 38 states in celebrating the first-ever Digital Learning Day—an opportunity to highlight and learn from the exciting ways teachers are utilizing technology to strengthen education in America.

WHITE HOUSE SCIENCE FAIR

On Tuesday, February 7th, 2012, President Obama will host the second White House Science Fair celebrating the student winners of a broad range of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competitions from across the country. The President will also announce key steps that the Administration and its partners are taking to help more students excel in math and science, and earn degrees in these subjects.

A 21ST CENTURY BIOECONOMY

On September 16, 2011, President Obama announced the development of a National Bioeconomy Blueprint detailing Administration-wide steps to harness biological research innovations to address national challenges in health, food, energy, and the environment.

Biological research underpins the foundation of a significant portion of the Nation’s economy. By better leveraging America’s national investments in biological research and development, the Administration aims to stimulate the growth of high-wage, high-skill jobs while improving the lives of all Americans.

In October 2011, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy issued a Request for Information (RFI) soliciting public comment on ideas and priorities for building the U.S. bioeconomy to inform the development of a National Bioeconomy Blueprint. OSTP received 135 submissions in response to the RFI.


ADVANCED MANUFACTURING

On June 24, 2011 at Carnegie Mellon University, President Obama launched the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP), a national effort bringing together industry, universities, and the Federal government to invest in the emerging technologies that will create high quality manufacturing jobs and enhance our global competitiveness.

The first regional meeting of the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership was held on October 14, 2011.

The AMP is based on a recommendation of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), which released a report entitled “Ensuring American Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing.”

Additionally, in order to reduce the time to develop and deploy advanced materials, a Materials Genome Initiative was launched, and the National Science and Technology Council released a white paper on that effort.

PRESSROOM

February 7, 2012 - Background on the Exhibits, Students and Competitions at the White House Science Fair

February 7, 2012 - President Obama to Host White House Science Fair

January 18, 2012 - Administration Announces New Tools to Help Consumers Manage Electricity Use and Shrink Bills

January 12, 2012 - Obama Administration Releases Action Plan to Address Ocean Challenges (pdf)

November 2, 2011 - Statement of the Honorable Dr. John P. Holdren to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations House Committee on Foreign Affairs (pdf)

September 27, 2011 - President Obama Honors Nation’s Top Scientists and Innovators

September 26, 2011 - President Obama Honors Outstanding Early-Career Scientists

September 26, 2011 - The White House and National Science Foundation Announce New Workplace Flexibility Policies to Support America’s Scientists and Their Families

September 19, 2011 - Federal Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education Inventory Highlighted (pdf)

July 29, 2011 - Statement by Director John P. Holdren on the Passing of Jack Marburger (pdf)

July 22, 2011 - PCAST Releases Report: “Sustaining Environmental Capital: Protecting Society and the Economy” (pdf)

July 12, 2011 - Norm Augustine to Lead Review of Antarctic Science (pdf)

June 24, 2011 - Ensuring American Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing

June 13, 2011 - Building the 21st Century Grid

June 7, 2011 - President Obama Fills Vacancy on his Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (pdf)

Scientific Integrity
Learn More About Global Science Diplomacy
Follow us on Twitter