A few months after his inauguration, President Obama was showing so much passion for science and scientific integrity that one observer characterized him as “almost strident” on the issue. I’ve always thought that was the wrong phrase.
The description put a negative spin on what I consider to be one of the president’s more endearing qualities — I can’t think of a modern president who speaks as often and as enthusiastically about science as Obama.
Indeed, a couple of years ago, the president announced that, from now on, there will be an annual White House Science Fair. Obama explained at the time, “If you win the NCAA championship, you come to the White House. Well, if you’re a young person and you’ve produced the best experiment or design, the best hardware or software, you ought to be recognized for that achievement, too. Scientists and engineers ought to stand side by side with athletes and entertainers as role models, and here at the White House we’re going to lead by example. We’re going to show young people how cool science can be.”
The president will back up that talk at the White House today.









