Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science,
Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring
Background: Up to 10 individuals and 10 institutions
may be selected to receive the annual Presidential
Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering
Mentoring (PAESMEM). Individual mentors demonstrate
outstanding and sustained mentoring and effective
guidance to a significant number of students at the
K-12, undergraduate or graduate education levels.
Institutional presidential mentors are organizations
that, through their programs, have enabled a substantial
number of students from groups underrepresented in
science, mathematics and engineering to successfully
pursue and complete relevant degree programs.
History: Science in the National Interest,
a 1994 national policy document on science and technology,
articulated several goals as part of the Clinton Administration's
effort to propel the nation into the 21st
century on a strong scientific and technological foundation.
Two major goals of the document are: to produce of
the finest scientists and engineers for the 21st
century; and, attain scientific literacy for all.
The Administration's commitment is to maximize the
nation's pool of talented, well-educated and highly
trained scientists and engineers to help achieve the
major goals of Science in the National Interest.
This commitment includes a demonstrated effort to
produce scientists and engineers in greater quantity
and quality by actively increasing the participation
of talent that draws fully on all racial/cultural
and disability segments of the nation's population.
Rationale for the Mentoring Program: The President
-- through the National Science and Technology Council
(NSTC) -- established PAESMEM to recognize the critical
importance played by visible role models, and the
power of mentors to affect the development of talent
among groups traditionally underrepresented in science,
mathematics and engineering.
The awards are implemented by NSTC's Committee on Education
and Training. They recognize outstanding mentoring
efforts and programs that have enhanced the participation
of individuals from underrepresented groups (minorities,
women and persons with disabilities). The awardees
serve as role models and leaders in the national effort
to develop more fully the nation's human resources
in science, mathematics and engineering.
Administration: The PAESMEM program is administered
by the National Science Foundation. Both the individual
and the institutional mentoring awards include a $10,000
grant to go along with a presidential commemorative
certificate. It is expected that each award will be
used to continue the recognized activity.
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