ACADEMIA

Governor Edward G. Rendell praised the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center as a force in helping to build Pittsburgh's reputation as a high-tech center that has supported the creation of thousands of businesses and hundreds of thousands of jobs. The Governor also said for the future and to continue the Pittsburgh region's strong leadership in technology, every Pennsylvania high school student should be equipped with a laptop computer. "Today's world runs on information," said Governor Rendell as he joined local leaders in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center. "For two decades, this Center has served as a resource for local businesses and academic institutions, helping scientists and researchers tackle new challenges that were once unimaginable. With such awesome computing power, the Center has helped drive continued growth in the Pittsburgh region." Pennsylvania has invested $29 million in the Center over the last two decades, which has leveraged $380 million from other sources. This funding has had a multiplier effect on the local economy, added Governor Rendell. With nearly 7,700 technology firms in the Pittsburgh region, the industry represents more than 10 percent of the area's companies. These companies employ nearly 216,000 individuals and account for 17 percent of the region's workforce, generating $10.4 billion in annual wages. "There is no doubt the technology sector plays an important role in southwestern Pennsylvania," said the Governor. "But if we are to maintain our nation-leading status, we must equip the next generation of scientists and programmers with the skills and knowledge to successfully face the future. I have proposed that we provide every Pennsylvania high school student with a laptop computer. Such access to computers will open the door to new opportunities for these children and modernize our education system." As part of his proposed 2006-07 budget, Governor Rendell put forth the innovative Classrooms for the Future initiative. This $200 million effort will transform high school classrooms by providing each student with an Internet-equipped laptop computer in English, math, science and social studies courses. Teachers would also receive intensive training and multi-media equipment to support and enhance their classroom activities. Under the Governor's plan, $20 million would be allocated in the upcoming budget year to implement this program in 100 high schools. The 2006-07 budget also provides $6 million in funding to train teachers in participating high schools how to harness this technology in their everyday teaching. Making such an investment is essential to maintaining global competitiveness, said Governor Rendell. "In too many schools, classrooms look exactly the same today as they did a generation ago, while the world has changed around them. Other states are increasing their reliance on the Internet as a teaching tool, and Pennsylvania must keep pace. "But, we're not only competing against neighboring states; we're up against China, India, Indonesia -- countries that are turning out computer programmers at an astonishing rate. If we are to stay competitive with foreign nations that are reaping the benefits of our outsourced computer jobs, we must aggressively nurture tomorrow's computer scientists and create a pool of talented workers for companies to utilize." According to Education Week, on average, eight students have to share an Internet-equipped computer in Pennsylvania classrooms, while the state ranks 37th nationally in Internet classroom instruction. A Microsoft study revealed that teachers found students to be more creative and independent when students were equipped with laptops. The same study also showed that 10th grade students actively participated in 79 percent of class time in classes with laptops as opposed to only 66 percent of the time in those without. The Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center is a collaborative effort between Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh and Westinghouse Electric Company. Established in 1986, PSC is supported by the commonwealth, federal agencies and private industry. It provides academic institutions, government bodies and industrial researchers with access to some of the nation's most powerful computing systems through an array of services, including computing, networking, consulting and training.