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COMMONWEALTH CLUB 1 Lovell: grand oasis, great vastness "Greatest challenge facing humanity" <=> Greatest opportunity ^For H.... Education For Individuals (anywhere) - Ed. -(leads to opp.) lights the path out of poverty & dispair For Nations - An educated, motivated workforce is the key to competitive adv. in global economy --> [A Little History => Instructive] The US awoke to this in the 1950's. ^=> Days of the Cold War, world was shaped around struggle betw 2 superpowers-- US & USSR -- Struggle for international influence, & prestige, & power. In that struggle, US (//strikethrough)had seen (//strikethrough) viewed itself as the technologically superior --> & that in any ^potential conflict, our tech advantages would carry the day. Then 1 day in Oct, 1957 => Our bubble was burst Our self-image shattered Sov. Union successfully launched the world's 1st ever satellite into space (Sputnik) => we couldn't do that we weren't tech. superior => if their rockets could carry sat's -> orbit could carry nuc. weapons to US Deeply affected the psyche of the nation Nation's response was swift & dramatic, & focused on increasing (substantially & visibly increasing) our sci & tech competence & capabilities. Led immediately to NASA & to a nationwide ^emphasis - a full court press - (//strikethrough) emphasis (//strikethrough) on sci & math education => Re-invigorated & transformed it in schools & elevated sci & eng. to nationally important status. ->