Siemens Science Day Program Targets Elementary School Students at Fourth Through Sixth Grade To Improve Science Literacy

One Fifth of Students Report Lack of Interest in Science as U.S. Seeks to Bolster Engineering Innovation

New York, May 3, 2006, The lack of trained U.S. professionals in science, technology, math and engineering can be linked to the quality of science and math education in grades K through 12, according to a 2005 report from the National Academies. And, according to survey results announced today by Siemens, while 99 percent of grade school students agree that math and science are important to their everyday lives, one-fifth report a lack of interest in these topics. In an effort to address the need for improved science literacy in American schools, technology leader Siemens today launches Siemens Science Day, an innovative program designed to captivate young students’ interest in math, science and technology.

Siemens Science Day programs, designed to encourage student interest in math and science and to educate students on the importance of pursuing engineering careers, kicked off today at schools in eight major cities across the country and will continue throughout the year. Siemens survey shows that the timing couldn’t be better: 60 percent of grade-school students do not know an engineer does. The eight cities celebrating the launch of Siemens Science Day are New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Orlando.

To ensure the fully-integrated education program meets national standards, Siemens has teamed up with Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company. Scholastic has developed classroom materials to support a multi-tiered initiative that will ultimately place Siemens professionals as volunteer mentors to children in grade school science classes.

“Studies have shown that the fourth and fifth grades are critical to engaging students in math and science education,” said George Nolen, president and CEO of Siemens Corporation. “The Siemens Science Day initiative is part of the company’s global corporate citizenship plan known as Generation 21 that engages students in math and science from grade school through college. Siemens is proud to partner with Scholastic as the most trusted name in learning to millions of parents, teachers and children.”

The educational program consists of standards-based interactive science lessons and lab materials to support teachers’ curriculum goals in the classroom.

Hands-on activities will help students explore and learn concepts like gravity and electricity and aim to generate excitement among students about learning math and science. A comprehensive leader’s guide provides creative suggestions on how to integrate science into every teaching opportunity.

“Scholastic is excited to be working with Siemens to bring science to the forefront for grade-school students and teachers. These innovative hands-on materials not only support teachers’ curriculum goals but help to bridge connections between classroom learning and real world science,” said Shelley White, Editorial Director for Scholastic Marketing Partners.

About Siemens Science Day

Siemens Science Day’s mission is to promote math and science literacy throughout the country by providing volunteer mentors and classroom materials that will help children develop the knowledge, skills, and self-confidence needed to succeed in school and in the workforce. The program allows students the opportunity to talk to Siemens representatives about the importance of math and science, their impact on society and to perform hands-on science activities. Siemens representatives come supplied with materials that demonstrate fundamentals of math and science. The students also learn that math and science are “cool” subjects that can lead to exciting career opportunities. Educators may learn more about Siemens Science Day by visiting http://www.usa.siemens.com/scienceday.

About Siemens

Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) is one of the largest global electronics and engineering companies with reported worldwide sales of $91.5 billion in fiscal 2004. Founded more than 155 years ago, the company is a leader in the areas of Medical, Power, Automation and Control, Transportation, Information and Communications, Lighting, Building Technologies, Water Technologies and Services and Home Appliances. With its U.S. corporate headquarters in New York City, Siemens in the USA has sales of $16.6 billion and employs 70,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Thirteen of Siemens’ worldwide businesses are based in the United States. With its global headquarters in Munich, Siemens AG and its subsidiaries employ 440,000 people in 190 countries. For more information on Siemens in the United States: www.usa.siemens.com.

About Scholastic

Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books and a leader in educational technology. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children’s books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company’s Internet site, www.scholastic.com.

Contact Information

Michael McCauley

Public Relations Manager

Siemens Corporation

Contact via E-mail