Internet Pioneer Urges Increased STEM Innovation

Vincent Cerf, Chief Internet Evangelist at Google, urged increased concentration on STEM efforts and education in order to fire up US innovation.  In a Wall St. Journal comment (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704461304576216911954533514.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEADTop ), Cerf noted the synergy of university researchers, trained professionals,  and venture capitalists to start new companies which transfer technology to the marketplace; information access and the freedom to try and fail with new ideas are also key.  Overcoming obstacles of a national culture which does not value education and STEM and a concurrent deterioration of the K-12 education system will require emphasizing the thrill of STEM in youth through school and extra-curricular activities.