Ciba High School Chemistry Institute Makes Learning Fun.

TARRYTOWN, NY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 13, 1999--

For two weeks this summer, 19 students from Westchester and Putnam counties broke a fundamental law of nature: They loved summer school. In fact, their experiences at the Ciba Specialty Chemicals High School Chemistry Institute may alter the course of their lives for many summers to come.

Daniel Herman, a student at Yorktown High School, speaks for many of his fellow Institute participants when he describes the Institute's value to his future: "I had seen various fields such as chemical engineering and biochemistry described in college bulletins, but I didn't understand exactly what these broad terms referred to. Through participating in the Ciba Specialty Chemicals High School Chemistry Institute this summer, I was not only taught the meaning and the science behind these fields, but met many scientists who make their living by experimenting in them. I now understand how chemistry fits into business, and believe I will be better able to guide myself toward a future career in science."

The Ciba High School Chemistry Institute helps academically gifted incoming high school seniors get beyond the textbooks and gain a real understanding of the excitement of science in action. Particular emphasis is placed on industrial applications of chemistry.

This program, now in its tenth year, is a critical component of the company's efforts to improve the quality of education in this country and develop the next generation of scientists to meet the challenges of industry. The Institute is funded through the Ciba Education Foundation, which forges partnerships among schools, businesses and communities to support career-based learning and help young people prepare for the transition from school to career.

"The Ciba High School Chemistry Institute is a prime example of the types of engaging science education initiatives which we seek to foster through the Ciba Education Foundation," says Hugh Stuart-Buttle, Vice President, Communications for the company and Executive Director of its Education Foundation. "The enthusiasm the students and faculty bring to the Institute is key to its success."

Students selected by their teachers and by Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation for participation in the High School Chemistry Institute on the basis of their strong aptitude in science included Alwin Albert, Saunders HS, Yonkers; Colleen Bronner, Brewster HS, Brewster; Jessica Butler, Carmel HS, Carmel; Tiffany Erin Chao, Horace Greeley HS, Chappaqua; Siddhartha Dabral, Hastings HS, Hastings; John Ervoes, Charles E. Gorton HS, Yonkers; Jamie Glasser, Mahopac HS, Mahopac; Daniel Herman, Yorktown HS, Yorktown; Taku Iida, Horace Greeley HS, Chappaqua; Gautam Jadhav, Dobbs Ferry HS, Dobbs Ferry; Arjun Kumar, Ardsley HS, Ardsley; Justin McHugh, Port Chester HS, Port Chester; Mitchell Morris, Harrison HS, Harrison; Rishi Parikh, Ardsley HS, Ardsley; Juliette Provenzano, New Rochelle HS, New Rochelle; Anik Ray, Yorktown HS, Yorktown; George Shi, Yorktown HS, Yorktown; and Karen Toma, Saunders Trade & Technical HS, Yonkers; Jesse Wagenberg, Horace Greeley HS, Chappaqua.

In addition, four students from Virginia and Alabama, areas where Ciba also maintains major business operations, participated this year. Megha Joshipura, Nansemond River HS; Adam Thacker, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy; and Kara Lesueur, Lakeland HS, all in Suffolk, Va., and Isaac Sairs, Alabama School for Math and Science, Mobile, Ala., traveled to New York to take part in the program.

Ciba Specialty Chemicals (SWX:CIBN) is a leading company dedicated to producing high-value effects for our customers' products. Our specialty chemicals, added in small quantities, enhance the performance, look and feel of the final product. Business success is driven by our long-term strategy of innovation and continuous operational improvements. Ciba brings new and creative thought to the processes and products of our customers in more than 117 countries. Ciba generated sales of more than $5.8 billion in 1998 and spent $210 million on R&D to foster innovation across the company.