The drive to become more innovative and creative and to ask "why" has long helped America lead the world in cutting-edge scientific and technological advances. However, recent studies show that American students are losing ground to their counterparts around the globe, especially in the important fields referred to as the STEM curriculum. STEM education, the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, is the key to fostering innovation and discovery, and ensuring the nation's economic development and ability to compete in the global marketplace. With the collaboration of parents, educators, and lawmakers, we have worked to help students rediscover the traits that have made America a world leader in science and technology by creating a successful STEM curriculum in Arkansas schools. We must still do more to encourage our students to pursue science and technology endeavors. One way is to encourage Arkansas students to participate in the Young Scientist Challenge.

Since 1999, the Discovery Education Young Scientist Challenge has motivated middle-school students nationwide to hone their skills in scientific inquiry and communication. This year, 3M, a global enterprise that exemplifies the role that science can play on the path of innovation, adds its strength to the challenge by partnering with Discovery Education and the National Governor's Association.

Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge (YSC) is the premier national science competition for students in grades 5 through 8. The YSC is designed to encourage the exploration of science among America's youth and to promote the importance of science communication. Becoming a part of this Challenge helps to nurture the next generation of American scientists while they are at a critical age when interest in science tends to decline.

Over the past nine years, more than 540,000 middle-school students have been nominated to participate in the competition. Winners, including Arkansas students, have gone on to speak in front of members of Congress, work with the nation's top scientists, and pursue academic careers in the sciences.

To enter, students must be in grades 5 through 8, and must submit a video entry online at http://youngscientist.discoveryeducation.com/ between March 1st and June 15th, 2008.

Students will be challenged to create a one-to-two-minute video about a specific scientific concept, which they will select from a list of five concepts provided by YSC judges. All concepts will relate to a specific theme that, for this year, is "The Science of Space".

Video entries must demonstrate the student's understanding of the scientific concept explained and his or her comfort level in discussing science in general.

Videos do not need to be "produced" professionally, as judges are not evaluating production skills. They may be recorded on cell phones or simple digital cameras, for example. In addition, local libraries and schools may be able to loan cameras to students.

In the fall, 10 finalists receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the competition finals, consisting of a series of individual and team challenges, some of them in front of a live audience. These age-appropriate challenges are developed and administered by head judge Steve Jacobs, a science educator and creator of "Jake's Attic" as well as the founder of Faraday Studios.

Finalists will be judged on their communication and scientific problem-solving skills. At the end of the competition, American's Top Young Scientist will be awarded a $50,000 savings bond, and other finalists will receive exciting prizes.

Globalization and a changing economy are causing our educational needs to shift very quickly and more often. While this reality presents significant challenges to Arkansas's economy, it does present opportunity as well. In order to successfully maneuver in this new economy, our students must be challenged to take the hard math and science classes, and strive to succeed in the skills that will define this great American century.

STEM education will be critical in achieving this success. I encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity to display their scientific knowledge and enter the Young Scientists Challenge. For more information, visit my Web site at governor.arkansas.gov, and click on the link for the YSC contest.