The National Math and Science Initiative’s Marcus Lingenfelter on STEM education in Baton Rouge

Launched with $125 million from the ExxonMobil Foundation, the National Math and Science Initiative aims to revamp STEM education—science, technology, engineering and math—in America by training current and future teachers to help more of their students succeed in rigorous math and science courses. NMSI measures itself by the number of students earning college credit on advanced placement exams. Marcus Lingenfelter, NMSI’s vice president of state relations, touted the program May 12 at a gathering hosted by the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. His audience included incoming East Baton Rouge Parish Schools Superintendent Warren Drake and Ascension Parish Schools Superintendent Patrice Pujol, and at least a few school board members along with the business crowd. Lingenfelter says a private donor has been lined up to bring NMSI programs to greater Baton Rouge; now he’s trying to build support. Scroll on the image below for the most noteworthy comments from Lingenfelter during his Baton Rouge stop. —David Jacobs