While the embedded video at left might initially appear as a promotion for Microsoft's upcoming Project Natal technology, the spot is actually a Public Service Announcement (PSA) that attempts to impart the importance of learning science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) on today’s youngsters.
The initiative, dubbed Connect a Million Minds, is the brainchild of Time Warner Cable. The Project Natal video, just like the other non-game related videos included in the campaign, were created in part because of an overall declining interest in science and engineering from today’s children. It’s hoped that the movement will show kids that in order to have a cool job when they grow up—like designing or programming videogames for example—they will need to focus on STEM-themed studies.
The five-year program was launched in November of 2009 and Time Warner has committed $100.0 million to it.
Time Warner Cable’s Director of Philanthropy Tessie Topol stated:
We want to remind kids and their parents that many of the things they consider cool require a background in STEM to work on. You can’t build a flying car if you don’t know anything about engineering and you can’t be on the team that is creating the coolest and most advanced video game ever if you don’t study math and computer science.
Topol added that 80% of the jobs today’s children will apply for in the future will require a “high level” of STEM education.
The Connect a Million Minds YouTube channel has more videos available.
Comments
Re: Time Warner PSAs Spotlight Importance of STEM Education
I've got a CS degree and I work in a damn warehouse.
I'd love to see more kids enter the industry (women and most minorities are woefully underrepresented); I just hope the jobs are there for them when they grow up.
And that I get there first.