Bayer to Sponsor U.S. Summit on Science; Sponsorship, Making Science Make Sense Initiative Affirm Bayer's Ongoing Commitment to Science Education 3/16/2004
From: Bill Allan of Bayer, 412-777-5200 PITTSBURGH, March 16 -- Bayer, a leader in science and technology and longtime proponent of strengthening U.S. science education and science literacy through its Making Science Make Sense program, is one of the key corporate sponsors of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education's Summit on Science being held today at the Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C., from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The summit, which promises to move science education into the national spotlight, will bring together top leaders in science and education to discuss effective science education and the critical importance of kindergarten through 12th grade science instruction. "As new technologies and increasing global market competition continue to demand a workforce that is flexible, diverse and scientifically literate, we must develop and invest in partnerships designed to bolster student achievement in science and foster in them important science literacy skills, such as critical thinking and problem solving," said Dr. Attila Molnar, Bayer Corporation president and CEO. Making Science Make Sense is Bayer's company-wide initiative that advances science literacy through hands-on, inquiry-based science learning, employee volunteerism and public education. Some 15 Bayer sites around the country operate local Making Science Make Sense programs that feature a national volunteer corps of more than 1,200 employees. A number of these local programs spearhead systemic science education reform initiatives, changing the way science is taught and learned in elementary school. In addition to Education Secretary Rod Paige, other summit speakers include Dr. John Marburger III, science adviser to the president and director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy; NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe; Dr. Rita Colwell, director of the National Science Foundation; and Dr. Bruce Alberts, president of the National Academy of Sciences. Bayer Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is the U.S. holding company of the worldwide Bayer Group, an international health care and chemicals group based in Leverkusen, Germany. Bayer employs 24,600 in North America with net North American sales of 8.9 billion euros in 2002. Bayer's four operating business areas -- HealthCare, CropScience, Polymers and Chemicals -- produce a broad range of products that help diagnose and treat diseases, purify water, preserve local landmarks, protect crops, advance automobile safety and durability and improve people's lives. The Bayer Group has nearly 120,000 employees. Its stock is a component of the DAX and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: BAY). For 2002, the Group recorded sales of 29.6 billion euros and a group net profit of 1.1 billion euros. Capital expenditures totaled 2.4 billion euros, and 2.6 billion euros was invested in research and development. For more information about Making Science Make Sense Scholar, please visit Bayer's Web site at http://www.BayerUS.com/msms. | |