Obama to Announce $240 Million in Pledges for STEM Education

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is highlighting private-sector efforts to encourage more students from underrepresented groups to pursue education in science, technology, engineering and math.

Obama will announce more than $240 million in pledges to boost the study of those fields, known as STEM, at the White House Science Fair on Monday. This year's fair is focused on diversity.

The pledges include a $150 million philanthropic effort to encourage promising early-career scientists to stay on track and a $90 million campaign to expand STEM opportunities to underrepresented youth, such as minorities and girls.

Obama launched "Educate to Innovate," his effort to encourage the study of science, technology, engineering and math, in 2009.

More than 35 student teams will exhibit their projects at the White House Science Fair.

(Story by: Darlene Superville, The Associated Press)