May 12 was the first celebration of National Lab Day, a nationwide initiative seeking to encourage student learning in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through hands-on activities and projects, McClatchy-Tribune News Service reports. And with any luck, it won’t be the last. Endorsed by President Obama, the National Science Teachers Association, NASA, and many others, National Lab Day is more than a one-day event, but a national movement. Interested schools or organizations can post a science or technology-themed project or activity idea to the initiative’s web site (www.nationallabday.org). From there, interested engineers, scientists, or other experts in the science and technology fields can volunteer to lend their skills to assist. To date, more than 1,000 schools from across the United States have signed up on the site. Examples of successful projects are posted at http://my.nationallabday.org/NLDSuccess. You can also view photos and watch YouTube videos of past programs as well. An interactive map provides a glimpse at some of the active projects going on across the country…