promote interest in STEM fields of education by creating an annual National STEM Day recognizing STEM leaders

Promoting STEM areas of education (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) to students is of utmost importance to developing the next generation of innovative minds that will tackle some of our country's biggest challenges. However, recognition of outstanding leaders in STEM fields lags and is disproportionate to accolades awarded in other arenas, giving a misleading sense of importance. We, the signees, propose that an annual National STEM Day be created to promote STEM and those within these fields, past and present, to engender a sense of pride in their accomplishments. Highlighting those in STEM fields will underscore their importance to our country while promoting critical thinking and the application of reason/data to any future challenges.