Obama and White House Tech Advisers Tweet Support for Clock-Making Teen

Texas high school student and amateur engineer Ahmed Mohamed was arrested Monday, because his teachers mistakenly thought the homemade digital clock he brought in was a bomb, according to media reports. Since then, the 14-year-old has been released from custody -- and his story has gone viral. 

Now, the president and top tech officials at the White House have tweeted their support, as well as an invitation to bring his clock to the White House. 

Cool clock, Ahmed. Want to bring it to the White House? We should inspire more kids like you to like science. It's what makes America great.

— President Obama (@POTUS) September 16, 2015

White House Chief Data Scientist DJ Patil and Deputy Chief Technology Officer Ed Felton also joined in. 

Oh yes we did. https://t.co/zfoA3uFNFH

— DJ Patil (@DJ44) September 16, 2015

I'm building a clock and bringing it too. #IStandWithAhmed https://t.co/bWJpy8oq18

— dj patil (@dpatil) September 16, 2015

I wonder if Ahmed would share the plans for his clock, so we can make one for our office wall. https://t.co/akcJD6DQGj

— Ed Felten (@EdFelten44) September 16, 2015

White House Chief Technology Officer Megan Smith shared another important clock at the White House. 

#lookslikeanengineer /cc @IStandWithAhmed @whitehouseostp @POTUS https://t.co/4GQqCE4Ntd pic.twitter.com/TGvKWrsyz7

— Megan Smith (@USCTO) September 16, 2015

And here's the clock in @whitehouseostp inspired by design of another eng #GraceHopper #lookslikeanengineer pic.twitter.com/ZEPGThhkeU

— Megan Smith (@USCTO) September 16, 2015

The Obama administration has placed an emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math education and began hosting an annual White House Science Fair in 2010. In June, the White House hosted its first ever "Maker Faire," to celebrate tinkerers, inventors and other members of the "maker movement."