A few weeks ago, President Obama gave his first State of the Union Speech of 2011. In his address, he spent a considerable amount of time focused on the topic of green energy and technology. He likened the country’s current goal of advancement in the green sector to the space race in the 1960s. He even called the quest our generation’s “Sputnik moment” and urged the U.S. to see other countries’ advances as fuel to beat them to the punch — just as we did in 1969 when we put the first man on the moon.

In his speech, he called for 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2015, the country to be running on 80% clean energy by 2035, and 80% of Americans to have access to high speed rail in the next 25 years. He also promised to send a bill to congress to eliminate tax cuts for oil companies. With his speech, the President issued a call to action for all citizens to be innovative and forward-thinking. He made it clear that if we don’t start problem solving and finding a way to harness new forms of energy, then the U.S. will be left behind by other countries.

As an organization, we’re energized by the challenge the President laid out. As a museum focused on science, nature, and taking care of our earth, we’re excited by the attention that’s being put on scientific innovation. We’re invigorated by the charge the nation’s been issued, and we’re thrilled to be part of educating the next generation of critical thinkers.