Obama to host second White House science fair Tuesday

President Obama will host the second White House science fair on Tuesday as part of his continued emphasis on the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

President Obama hosted the first White House science fair in October 2010, where he labeled American students' performance in math and science "unacceptable" compared to their peers worldwide.

Obama will welcome student winners in a broad range of STEM competitions from across the nation. He will view exhibits of student work including breakthrough research and new inventions, and then deliver remarks on the importance of STEM education to the country's economic future.

Obama has frequently compared inviting top students to the White House to the hosting of championship professional and college sports teams. He will also tout the administration's efforts to boost student performance in those subjects.

"If you win the NCAA championship, you come to the White House. Well, if you're a young person and you produce the best experiment or design, the best hardware or software, you ought to be recognized for that achievement, too,” Obama said in 2009.

The president also made a surprise appearance at the New York City Science Fair last March.

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