50 Fives by Fifty-Five

50 fives by Fifty-Five. That means I am going to be running in 50 5k road races, with one in every state, before I reach the age of….. well, you figure it out!

I am choosing to run across the country  for two reasons. For one, its an adventure that, as near as I know, no one has ever done before. Seems like it would be fun to be the first to accomplish something like that.

And secondly, I am trying to raise awareness nationally of the critical need for the development of programs for attaining math and science excellence in the education of young people in the U.S.  I hope you’ll check out some of the information and links found elsewhere on this site, and learn about the challenge, and tremendous opportunity that we have before us.

Hopefully, raising awarness of the purpose will move people’s spirit to volunteer their time, or contribute to the cause.

The idea of a simple way to try to make a big difference began during a recreational run on a sunny autumn afternoon in New England. For many, including me, it’s on those runs that one can truly relax and let your thoughts lead you to the right destination. That’s how I, in the midst of a successful entrepeneurial and business career, realized it was the time to focus my energies and enthusiasm on a plan to do my part, if I can, to contribute some measure of significant and lasting contribution to society. I’ve always enjoyed exercise, fitness and the challenges inherent in team and individul athletic activity, so I decided to combine my enjoyment of running with the goal of making a real difference. This led directly to the 50 fives by fifty-five concept. With 50 fives, I am traversing the country and trying to do some good !

If you have any suggestions about a race that you think would be fun, please let me know, as I have not set my schedule in every state yet. Add your comment to this post, or reach me via the contact form on the home page menu.

Great Island 5k, New Hampshire, October 12, 2008

According to the National Math and Science Initiative, American students are falling behind in the essential subjects of math and science, putting our position in the global economy at risk.

For example:

• U.S. students recently finished 15th in reading, 19th in math, and 14th in science in the ranking of 31 countries by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
• Only 29 percent of American fourth grade students, a third of eighth grade students, and barely 18 percent of 12th grade students perform at or above the proficient level in science.

According to recommendations of a panel of 20 national leaders, published by the National Academies of Science in their 2005 blue-ribbon panel report, “Rising above the Gathering Storm.”the most effective way to enhance science and technology enterprise in the United States is to dramatically improve K-12 math and science education. To do so, the panel recommends actions to:

• Enlarge the pipeline of students with the desire and preparation to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at the undergraduate level and beyond.
• Produce more, and more effective math and science teachers;
• Strengthen the skills of existing teachers through training programs

Liza and I after Westford 5k

Sunday May fourth, 2008 marked the official start of the 50 fives campaign. We ran the 9th Annual Westford Road Race in Westford, Massachusets. This race benefits the Westford Charitable Foundation, which supports a number of activities in the town of Westford, a sylvan suburban town about 30 miles northwest of Boston.

It had been raining all weekend, so we were readt for the fun of running in the rain. This race, unlike most that run in the early morning, was an afternoon race, starting at 2:20. Rain all morning, about an hour before race time, the rain stopped, and by race time there was even a little bit of sun.

We had never seen the course before. The first half-mile was flat. The next mile-straight downhill. Knowing the race was a loop, it was not long to figure out that there would be the comparable uphill return. And so it was, the last mile was pretty much uphill all the way. Glad to have the knowledge of 49 more races to keep me going up those rolling hills.

As is often the case, I finished somewhere in the middle of the pack. No surprise there. As you can see in the picture, though, Liza fared much better. The hardware in the photo, of course belongs to Liza, as she took second place among female runners.

Starting kids early in math and science education can be a key ingredient for a far-reaching solution.

In fact, according to many engaged in this space, experience has shown that girls and boys must be engaged in science by the third grade to fourth grade to develop an interest that endures through their school career.

Programs that focus throughout the full period of education hold great promise