Siemens increases its commitment to early science education

500 experiment kits presented / A further 1,000 preschools to be equipped / Initiative extended to other countries

Munich, Dec 11, 2006 - One year after the presentation of the first experiment kits to preschools, Siemens is substantially widening its involvement: on the basis of the huge demand and the positive response, a further 1,000 experiment kits, including training for the teachers, are to be made available. To date Siemens has equipped 500 preschools with experiment kits, thereby reaching around 40,000 children. In future Siemens wants to encourage child-friendly access to science and technology in preschools in other countries too. For this purpose the “Discovery Box” has been developed, which can be used on a worldwide basis.

“The child-friendly, fun experiments in the experiment kit make science real and are thus an important element of early childhood education,” said Siemens research manager Prof. Hermann Requardt at the presentation of the 500th experiment kit to the municipal preschool in Thelottstrasse in Munich’s Hasenbergl district. “As a knowledge-based company we want to encourage the next generation to investigate the world around them, starting at a young age. In this way we are fulfilling our social responsibility, as education is an important prerequisite for the cohesion and development of society,” he continued.

Why is the sky blue and the rainbow brightly colored? Why does a light bulb burn? With the experiment kit, children from the age of only four can have fun finding out all about a variety of exciting everyday phenomena. The experiment kits have all the equipment for exploring water, air, color, sound and electricity. This is not text-book learning, but giving children their first practical experience of scientific and technical phenomena, which even the very small already find highly interesting. The experiments are part of a complete educational concept, which also involves a one-day seminar for teachers on use of the kit. The kit and the training, which are together worth 500 euros, were developed by the Starnberg company Science-Lab, one of the pioneers of early science education. Today, one year after presentation of the first experiment kits, Siemens has already reached 500 preschools in Germany and thus a total of around 40,000 children.

In the wake of this success, Siemens is now substantially widening the scope of its involvement: 1,000 more experiment kits are being presented to preschools, with which another 80,000 children can be reached. Siemens is also promoting early science education in other countries: at the beginning of 2007 the company is launching the “Discovery Box,” the international version of the experiment kit. It includes experiment sets on “Energy & Electricity” and “Environment & Health” which were specially developed for the international kit, and a DVD with instructions for the teachers. Considerable interest has already been registered from among the approximately 190 countries where Siemens does business and initial enquiries have been received from Southern Europe, China and South-East Asia.

Early science education by means of experiment kits is an important part of Siemens’ worldwide education program for preschools, schools and universities, Generation21. Siemens is currently successfully promoting educational activities in over 50 countries. The object of the company-wide commitment is to interest young people in science and technology and meet its responsibilities as a corporate citizen.

Further information and details of how to apply for an experiment kit can be found on the Internet at www.siemens.de/generation21/vorschule
Press photos can be found on the Internet at
www.siemens.com/axx-pictures/axx20061227

This is Siemens – Siemens (Berlin and Munich) is a global powerhouse in electrical engineering and electronics. The company has around 475,000 employees working to develop and manufacture products, design and install complex systems and projects, and tailor a wide range of services for individual requirements. Siemens provides innovative technologies and comprehensive know-how to benefit customers in over 190 countries. Founded more than 155 years ago, the company focuses on the areas of Information and Communications, Automation and Control, Power, Transportation, Medical, and Lighting. In fiscal 2006 (ended September 30), Siemens had sales from continuing operations of €87.3 billion and net income of €3.106 billion. Further information is available on the Internet at: www.siemens.com

Reference number: AXX200612.27 e

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Sabine Krömer

Siemens AG

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