Science and Technology: 
Can America Compete?

A Perfect Storm is poised to strike the United States.

Due to the confluence of a variety of forces, the nation is falling behind the rest of the world in its scientific and technological capabilities. Without a massive federal effort, many nations in the world will surpass the enterprise of the U.S. in these areas, hindering America’s competitiveness and threatening future economic opportunities.

The evidence is irrefutable, according to Norman Augustine, one of the most successful and admired engineer-statesman of his generation. Consider these examples:

• U.S. 12th graders recently performed below the international average for 21 countries on a test of general knowledge in math and science.
• In 2004, China graduated about 500,000 engineers, India 200,000, and the U.S. 70,000.
• For the cost of one chemist or one engineer in the U.S., a company can hire about five chemists in China or 11 engineers in India.

Augustine, the retired chairman and chief executive officer of the Lockheed Martin Corporation, will discuss the need to rededicate national resources to bolster U.S. pre-eminence in science and technology during his October 24 public address on campus. His remarks will echo themes contained in a congressionally requested report— Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future—compiled by a pre-eminent committee he recently chaired.

Read Executive Summary of Rising Above the Gathering Storm (pdf)