FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, January 11, 2007

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COMMERCE SECRETARY GUTIERREZ ANNOUNCES NOAA PARTNERSHIP WITH HIGH TECH HIGH

New Workshops to Prepare Students for Ocean-Related Jobs

San Diego, Calif. - U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today announced that the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will expand its partnership with San Diego's High Tech High by offering workshops on building undersea robots (Remotely Operated Vehicles), a type of technology that is used for ocean exploration and research.

"I am proud that NOAA is working with High Tech High," said Gutierrez. "These students are an example of the highly skilled workers that will run our businesses in the future."

Gutierrez made the announcement while visiting High Tech High to stress the importance of a highly skilled and educated workforce to the nation's economy. Gutierrez discussed how schools like High Tech High that focus on math and science play a critical role in keeping America's economy competitive and help develop a strong and highly-skilled workforce for the 21st century.

"High Tech High is playing a critical role in keeping America's economy competitive and creating jobs in today's fast-paced global economy," said Gutierrez. "We must face the reality that without a strong workforce, we cannot achieve our full potential as a nation."

The workshop will teach students about underwater technology used for research, monitoring and exploring the earth's underwater environs. The exploration of the world's oceans is a primary objective of the President's Ocean Action Plan and a key mission of NOAA. In addition to learning about these technologies, the students will gain hands on experience building these robots. The workshops at High Tech High will be offered in partnership between NOAA and the MATE Center , a marine education consortium funded through the National Science Foundation.

"NOAA is the premier federal agency working to protect and preserve our precious oceans, and I'm particularly pleased that in an ocean focused city like San Diego , we can foster a true partnership with bright young students and the community at large," Gutierrez added.

Gutierrez also highlighted NOAA's role in working with High Tech High students through the California Sea Grant Program, a national, university-based program that works on a variety of topics vital to human and environmental health. Through their research, education and outreach activities, Sea Grant has helped position the United States as the world leader in marine research and the sustainable development of coastal resources.