A recent National Academy of Sciences study noted that China graduated 500,000 engineers last year, and India 200,000 compared with 70,000 in the U.S. These statistics should be particularly alarming to businesses that rely on the fresh ideas of math and science students coming out of college to help them remain competitive both here and abroad.

Dissatisfied with the lack of progress being made by academia in closing the international - math and science -  skills gap, some business leaders have taken matters into their own hands. Raytheon for example has introduced the Math Moves U program with the hopes of improving US competitiveness in math and science. While geared toward middle school students, the program offers - among other things - rewards for making math more fun and grants and scholarships for students and their schools.

No one would suggest that Raytheon is simply being altruistic, but they should never the less be applauded for their foresight. For Raytheon - or any US company - to remain competitive on the global stage they need the best and the brightest workforce. What is that age old saying... if you want something done right, then do it yourself? Industry must find ways to engage and excite kids about math and science.

Here is a great example of how to do it right......http://www.mathmovesu.com