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10 Bayer-National Science Teachers Association Fellows Named to 2009-2010 New Science Teacher Academy

The Bayer-NSTA Fellows are participating in the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy, a yearlong professional development program. It aims to reduce the high attrition rate among early-career teachers. Research shows that nearly 50 percent of early-career teachers leave their jobs in the first five years. The teachers also will attend NSTA's 2010 National Conference in Philadelphia March 18-21.

The teachers were selected from more than 600 applicants nationwide. They include:

• Samantha Johnson, Bancroft Middle School, San Leandro, Calif.
• Alton Lee, Mission High School, San Francisco, Calif.
• Christian Eikermann, Fairfax Campus, Kansas City, Kan.
• Toby Brosnahan, Genesis, Kansas City, Mo.
• Leslie Carlisle, St. Gabriel School, Kansas City, Mo.
• Amanda McCans-Fox, West Cary Middle School, Cary, N.C.
• Christi Tempesta, Saddle Brook High School, Saddle Brook, N.J.
• Nadine Suhan, City Charter High School, Pittsburgh, Pa.
• Erika Klose, Winfield Middle School, Winfield, W.Va.
• Maureen Miller, Poca High School, Poca, W.Va.

In 2008, the Bayer USA Foundation awarded NSTA a three-year $200,000 grant to create the Bayer-NSTA Fellows program and expand its New Science Teacher Academy to states where Bayer has sites and offers its Making Science Make Sense (MSMS) program. MSMS advances science literacy in the Unites States through hands-on science learning, employee volunteerism and a public education campaign led by former astronaut Mae Jemison. More than 1,000 Bayer volunteers participate.

"As a longtime supporter of U.S. science education through our company-wide Making Science Make Sense initiative, we at Bayer understand that attracting and retaining the best and brightest science teachers are essential if we expect today's students to achieve and succeed in scientific and technical fields. That is why we value and support this important NSTA initiative," said Greg Babe, President and CEO of Bayer Corporation and President of the Bayer USA Foundation.

With its emphasis on encouraging and supporting middle and secondary school science educators in their first few years of teaching, the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy aligns with two of President Barack Obama's key education policy initiatives: to make math and science education a national priority, and to retain teachers.

"Through an array of professional development resources and tools, NSTA strives to help early-career teachers hone their teaching skills and strengthen their knowledge of science curricula content– the keys to success in the science classroom," said Francis Eberle, Executive Director, NSTA.

This spring, Bayer and NSTA will call for entries to the 2010-2011 NSTA New Science Teacher Academy. Science teachers in the United States entering their second or third year of teaching and whose schedules are a minimum of 51 percent middle or high school science are eligible to apply. For more information and to learn how to apply, visit www.nsta.org/academy.

About NSTA

The Arlington, Va.-based National Science Teachers Association (www.nsta.org) is the world's largest professional organization promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning. NSTA's membership includes more than 60,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.

About Bayer Corporation

Bayer Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is a subsidiary of Bayer AG, an international health care, nutrition and high-tech materials group based in Leverkusen, Germany. In North America, Bayer had 2009 net sales of approximately 7.7 billion euros (about $10.7 billion) and employed 16,300 at year end. Bayer's three subgroups, Bayer HealthCare, Bayer CropScience and Bayer MaterialScience, improve people's lives through a broad range of essential products that help diagnose, prevent and treat diseases; protect crops and enhance yields; and advance automobile safety and durability. For more information, go to www.bayerus.com.

About the Bayer USA Foundation

The Bayer USA Foundation is an endowed 501(c)(3) entity and is the primary source of Bayer Corporation's philanthropy in the United States. With a programmatic focus on the environment and sustainability; education and workforce development; arts and culture; and health and human services, the foundation creates and supports organizations that improve communities in which Bayer employees live and work, as well as society at large. The Bayer USA Foundation is one of three Bayer foundations worldwide, including the Bayer Science & Education Foundation and the Bayer Cares Foundation.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

Bayer USA Foundation
Bryan Iams, 412-777-5200
E-mail: bryan.iams.b@bayer.com
or
NSTA
Kate Meyer, 703-312-9211
Email : kmeyer@nsta.org