Obama To Make Trip To Baltimore County School
PARKVILLE, Md. (WJZ)-- "This is our generation's Sputnik moment." President Barack Obama said that line in his State of the Union Address, saying the United States needs to invest in energy, science and innovation, and he says it all starts in the classroom.
Kai Jackson has more.
The president apparently will have a lot to say about education this Monday, and students, teachers and parents are anxious to hear it.
"We need to teach our kids that it's not just the winner of the Super Bowl who deserves to be celebrated, but the winner of the science fair," said Obama in his State of The Union Address.
Obama is bringing that message from his State of the Union Address to Maryland when he visits Parkville Middle School in Baltimore County on Monday.
"We really didn't know he was coming exactly, but my teacher said that it was a special person coming," said Julianna Donahued, Parkville Middle student.
Obama is expected to talk about investing in education to help prepare children to be competitive in a global economy.
"Maintaining our leadership in research and technology is crucial to America's success," said Obama. "But if we want to win the future, if we want innovation to produce jobs in America and not overseas, then we also have to win the race in educating our kids."
Parkville Middle has a rigorous technology program. It centers on engineering, environmental science, mass communication, visual and graphic arts.
"Our science classes are very focused and they are very straightforward," said Serena Fanfan, Parkvile Middle student.
Parkville residents are excited about the president's visit.
"I certainly like the direction that the President Obama is going in," said William Gulick, Parkville.
"We have to have better schools and invest more money into that," said Casey Myers, Parkville.
The president is calling on new funding to help prepare for 100,000 new math and science teachers over the next decade.
Stay with WJZ for complete coverage of the president's visit to Baltimore County.
