On October 23, 2007, more than 200 technology executives, educators and other supporters attended the Massachusetts High Technology Council’s 30^th Anniversary celebration in recognition of the Council’s three decades of advocacy to make Massachusetts a global center of technological excellence.

During the event, the Council launched the Fund for World Class Schools which is already off to an auspiciousm start having received generous pre-launch donations from leading technology firms in the state.  The Fund’s mission is to support strategies that transform Massachusetts public schools into premier centers of math and science education with a more globally competitive education system.

Dean Kamen

The evening featured inspiring remarks from both the Massachusetts and National Teachers of the Year, and from Dean Kamen, famed inventor and founder of FIRST and DEKA Research & Development, whose action-oriented and innovative record of impressive accomplishments on the technology front are matched by his impact in education.

Dean Kamen delivered a stirring address to Council CEOs on the importance of mentors in science and technology education and the evolution of the FIRST robotics competition from high school gymnasium contest to a global event. 

Dean was preceded by two exceptional teachers, National Teacher of the Year, Andrea Peterson, a music teacher from Granite Falls, Washington and Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, Michael Flynn, a second grade math and science teacher from Southampton.  

As Flynn noted in his remarks: “The Mass High Tech Council’s education initiative has a focus on 21st century skills in preparing students for the workforce of tomorrow.  And who better than you would understand the skills needed to work in the high tech industry?  With your collective influence, the Council’s education initiative can have a profound impact on the lives of our students.”

These powerful messages on the real world need for math and science instruction were reinforced by interactive exhibits from Biogen Idec, Foster-Miller, The Army Natick Research, Development and Engineering Center and Boston University Academy high school students and their terrific FIRST robot.