Dr Jim Goodnight, the founder and CEO of SAS Software, was in Australia in August this year delivering the keynote at the SAS Forum where he lamented the lack of mathematics and science education. Goodnight has put his money where his mouth is and sponsored Computer Science Education Week in the US.
"As a sponsor of Computer Science Education Week, SAS is committed to raising awareness of the role computing plays in our lives. In doing so, we must recognise that the number of young American workers with critical science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills is falling far short of what will be needed to replace the current knowledge worker generation.
"To help turn that around, SAS has partnered with Change the Equation, an organisation bringing together more than 100 companies committed to working with schools and communities to change the direction for our youth and our nation. Change the Equation has challenged member companies to submit brief videos featuring employees who use STEM skills in exciting ways for its viral video contest running through 19 December. The videos appear where kids congregate - Facebook and YouTube - and are designed to show them what is possible.
SAS answered that call with a creative video featuring 14 employees and one clear message: Study STEM. It’s fun to watch and unlike anything we have done before.
"I am requesting your help in viewing the video, voting for it with the ‘Like’ buttons, and sharing it with friends and contacts. In addition to YouTube and Facebook, you may also want to share an article published about the effort on The Huffington Post website. This SWW article provides links and more details on how to vote for and share this important message. This will help today’s students realise all the opportunities open to them in STEM fields of study," said Goodnight.