Dow AgroSciences to Host 2005 Hoosier Science and Engineering Fair.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Middle, High School Students to Participate in Event; Top High School Participants Will Move on to International Competition

A recent report warns that if current trends continue, the United States will lose its preeminence in science and technology and its leadership position in innovation. The report, called A Commitment to America's Future: Responding to the Crisis in Mathematics and Science Education, predicts that, over the decade ending in 2008, jobs requiring science, engineering, and technical training will increase by 51 percent, a rate four times faster than overall job growth. In addition, by 2008, some 6 million job openings for scientists, engineers and technicians will exist.

One way to encourage students to pursue science and math careers is through participation in events like the upcoming 2005 Hoosier Science and Engineering Fair (HSEF).

Held on April 2 at the Dow AgroSciences headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind., the 2005 HSEF participants are the top two placing high school students from the 12 Indiana Regional Science and Engineering Fairs. They are from schools all across Indiana, including Bedford, Columbus, Ft. Wayne, Indianapolis, Kendallville, Kokomo, Mishawaka, Noblesville, Schererville, South Bend, Terre Haute, Waterloo and West Lafayette, among others.

These 24 students are automatically invited to the 2005 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world's largest pre-college science fair, in Phoenix, Arizona from May 8-13. The HSEF provides them with an opportunity to polish their research exhibit presentations before they compete against the world's best and brightest.

The high school runners-up and middle school regional science fair winners have also been selected to compete at the HSEF.

"The purpose of the Hoosier Science and Engineering Fair is not only to judge the research exhibits, but to encourage student interactions with leading scientists," said Dr. William Gilmore, Executive Director of the Science Education Foundation of Indiana (SEFI). "The ultimate goal is to encourage these students to pursue degrees in math and science-related fields and demonstrate to them that there are many stable, high paying career opportunities available in Indiana in these industries."

The competition will feature judging sessions, keynote speeches from Dr. Ronald Meeusen, SEFI Chairman and Dow AgroSciences Chief Executive Officer Jerome Peribere and an awards ceremony. The complete agenda can be found at: http://www.sefi.org/2005%20Ind%20State%20Fair/HSEFProgram2005Dow.doc

The 2005 Hoosier Science and Engineering Fair is sponsored by the Science Education Foundation of Indiana (SEFI), a not-for-profit dedicated to raising awareness to strengthen science education in Indiana. In addition to supporting the state science fairs, SEFI has spawned other activities to help raise awareness of the need for strong science and math education in Indiana.

SEFI has supported the formation of the Indiana Science Education Alliance, a coalition of educators, corporate interests and non-profit leaders that was formed to focus on finding solutions to the challenges facing science education in Indiana.

SEFI was also instrumental in the recruitment of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) to Indianapolis in 2006. Held annually in May, the Intel ISEF brings together over 1,500 students from approximately 40 nations to compete for scholarships, tuition grants, internships, scientific field trips and a $50,000 scholarship for the grand prize winner.

"Last year, nearly two-thirds of the state's 5th - graders failed Indiana's first ISTEP science test," said Dr. Gilmore. "As Indiana continues to focus its economic development efforts in knowledge-based industries like life sciences and advanced manufacturing, we will have a hard time supporting these industries without producing skilled workers. SEFI remains committed to bringing attention to this critical issue. This next year will be a critical time for science education in Indiana."