National Lab Day, 6-12

http://www.nationallabday.org/about
In the first week of May, 2010 teachers and students will celebrate this collaboration with National Lab Day (NLD) activities across the country. This is an initiative to scale hands-on learning across the country. Each NLD will encompass a year-long series of training and activities which will culminate in a day of sharing and recognition. National Lab Day is a national initiative to build local communities of support (hubs) that will foster ongoing collaborations among volunteers, students and educators. Volunteers are university students, scientists, engineers, other STEM professionals and, more broadly, members of the community who will work together with educators and students to improve labs and discovery-based science experiences for students in grades 6-12.

In his April 27, 2009 speech to the National Academies of Science, the President Obama made this call to action:
"I want to encourage you to participate in programs to allow students to get a degree in science fields and a teaching certificate at the same time. I want us all to think about new and creative ways to engage young people in science and engineering, whether it's science festivals, robotics competitions, fairs that encourage young people to create and build and invent -- to be makers of things, not just consumers of things. To achieve this goal we should provide students the tools to experiment and build their own tools, machines and platforms. This Administration supports hands-on experiences that allow children to learn at their own pace through discovery and building."