PITTSBURGH, June 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer Corporation and its Making
Science Make Sense program will be honored by the President of the United
States at a White House ceremony on Tuesday, June 13, with the 2000
President's Service Award.
The President's Service Award, co-sponsored by the Points of Light
Foundation and the Corporation for National Service, is the most prestigious
national recognition given for volunteer community service aimed at solving
the country's most critical social problems.
Selected from a pool of more than 3,000 nominations, Bayer's Making
Science Make Sense (MSMS) is a company-wide program that advances science
literacy across the United States through hands-on, inquiry-based science
learning, employee volunteerism and public education. More than 1,000 Bayer
employees actively participate in MSMS in the communities where they live and
work.
In Pittsburgh, more than 200 employee-volunteers participate in the Bayer
Association for Science in Communities (BASIC). This committed group sponsors
several school-based programs, for which employees volunteer in classrooms to
enhance the science curriculum with hands-on activities. In addition, BASIC
provides educational outreach with programs such as participation in National
Science & Technology Week at the Carnegie Science Festival and hands-on
science activities and demonstrations at various major community events.
"For more than 30 years, Bayer employees have embodied the volunteer
spirit by working in classrooms across the country to improve the way science
is taught and learned," said Helge H. Wehmeier, Bayer's president and CEO.
"This honor is a testament to their deep commitment to ensuring scientific
literacy for all students."
In addition to the work of these employee volunteers, Bayer supports MSMS
with a national public education campaign led by former astronaut Dr. Mae C.
Jemison, who serves as MSMS science literacy advocate. The public education
campaign features annual public opinion research with partners: the National
Science Foundation and the National Science Teachers Association; the Everyday
Science radio program, which is carried by 170 public radio stations; the
Bayer/National Science Foundation Award for Community Innovation, a unique
science competition for middle school students; and a web site containing
up-to-date information about the program and the issues
(http://www.BayerUS.com/msms).
In addition, last year Bayer held its first national employee volunteer
conference where it set a five-year goal of doubling its employee volunteer
ranks. The next conference is planned for National Volunteer Week 2001 at
Bayer's Agricultural Division headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri.
Bayer is one of 20 companies, individuals and organizations who will
receive a sterling silver medallion and certificate signed by President Bill
Clinton.
Since its creation in 1982, the President's Service Award has honored some
364 individuals and organizations that reflect the diversity inherent in
American society and in American volunteering. Winners have included
individuals from all walks of life and organizations ranging from small
grassroots groups to international corporations and they all have a commitment
to solving the critical problems that face our communities.
The Points of Light Foundation is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization
that works to mobilize more people more effectively in volunteer service to
help solve the nation's serious social problems. The Foundation works in
partnership with the Volunteer Center National Network, the nation's primary
local leadership and resource organization for volunteering. To get connected
to your nearest Volunteer Center and learn about volunteer opportunities in
your community, call 1-800-VOLUNTEER.
The Corporation for National Service (http://www.nationalservice.org) engages
more than a million Americans in service to their communities through three
national initiatives: AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America and the National
Senior Service Corps.
Bayer operates Making Science Make Sense programs in 24 sites across the
country. Bayer Corporation is a research-based company with major businesses
in health care and life sciences and chemicals. The company had 1999 sales of
$8.9 billion and employs more than 22,200 people.
SOURCE Bayer Corporation
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.bayerus.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/092575.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 092575
CONTACT:
Rebecca Lucore of Bayer, 412-777-5666; or
Lynn Rubenson of Rubenson Communications, 412-661-0350 (weekend
contact), for Bayer
|
