OECD Report: US Losing Its Edge In Innovation

IndustryWeek (6/27, Cable) reports, "The United States is losing its edge in innovation, and needs to implement strong pro-innovation policies as well as education reform 'to maintain its status as the world's most vibrant and productive economy.'" That is "the conclusion of the latest 'Economic Survey of the United States' by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, which asserts that 'fissures have begun to appear' in US innovation." Among the recommendations in the "report, the organization asserts that 'reductions in the federal R&D budget should be as limited as possible.'" The report "also urges federal policymakers to build on the America Invents Act 'by ensuring that the legal standards for granting injunctive relief and damages awards for patent infringement reflect realistic business practices and the relative contributions of patented components of complex products.'" 

Summer Camp In Indiana Promotes Science, Technology To Middle Schools Students

The Evansville (IN) Courier & Press (6/20, Osowski) reports on the iEngineering 2.0 Summer Experience at the Southern Indiana Career & Technical Center in Evansville. The two-week camp is designed to promote science, math and engineering to middle school students. "The kids are learning soldering, they've had robot competitions," Andy Beadles, an instructor at SICTC said. "They're also learning programming, laser cutting, casting processes and computer numeric controls." 

Le Mans Kicks Off This Weekend

Only six days left until one of the biggest races on the international Grand Prix circuit and once again, the FARO-sponsored Pratt & Miller Corvette remains a favorite to take the checkered flag. Each year in June, the world's best drivers gather in Le Mans, France for the most difficult endurance test in racing. Over the next day, drivers will test themselves and their cars as they race around the nearly 8.5 mile track, stopping only to switch drivers and refuel.


Want to read more about FARO's involvement with Pratt & Miller? Read the full story here. 

Canadian Government Increasingly Focusing On Oil, Mineral Exports.

The Washington Post (6/4, Eilperin) reports that Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been "rewriting the nation's environmental laws to speed the extraction and export of oil, minerals and other materials to a global market clamoring for Canada's natural resources." During the six years Harper has been prime minister, increasing mineral and oil prices and greater "demand from Asia" mean Canada has "new incentive to tap into its resources, and new technology has made extraction easier." According to Canadian spokesman for the US Christopher Plunkett, "The idea is simple and straightforward: to make Canada the most attractive country in the world for resource investment and development, and to enhance our world-class protection of the environment today for future generations of Canadians."