Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The following is an overview of Bayer’s Pittsburgh-based Making Science Make Sense(MSMS) activities:

HANDS-ON, INQUIRY-BASED SCIENCE LEARNING
ASSET Inc. (Achieving Student Success through Excellence in Teaching)
Bayer created this independent non-profit organization to implement hands-on, inquiry-based science education reform. Starting with five schools in two districts in 1994, today ASSET serves 40 school districts, charter and private schools in southwestern Pennsylvania and directly impacts more than 1,800 teachers and 125,000 students annually. In addition, since July 2006, Governor Edward Rendell has awarded $38 million to ASSET to roll out its program to elementary schools across the state of Pennsylvania. (See Backgrounder – Systemic Science Education Reform Programs for additional information.)

Wildlife Habitat Council’s Corporate Lands for Learning.
Bayer has transformed a portion of its 258-acre campus to be used as a Wildlife Habitat Council Corporate Lands for Learning site. Local elementary school students are led by Bayer and Wildlife Habitat Council volunteers in hands-on, inquiry-based environmental learning activities. For example, the “Pond Life” activity brings students to the pond on Bayer’s campus, allowing them to explore its ecosystem, including bullfrog tadpoles, dragonfly and damselfly nymphs, crayfish, water mites, fish, water striders and more. In addition, the “Team Flight” activity takes students to three different habitats on the Bayer campus (woodlands, wetlands and meadows) to learn how birds adapt to their environment.

C.A.U.S.E. Challenge™ High School Film Festival
The C.A.U.S.E. Challenge™ High School Film Festival, presented by Bayer Corporation, Carnegie Science Center’s Regional SciTech Initiative and Pittsburgh Filmmakers, invites students - either individually or in teams of up to four - to write, produce and edit a video or film on the theme “Mutual Impact: The Environment and You.” C.A.U.S.E. stands for “Creating Awareness and Understanding of our Surrounding Environment.” Its purpose is to provide a platform for high school students who are not necessarily on a science track to become more scientifically and environmentally aware using the non-traditional, yet powerful tool of film or video. In the filmmaking process, students develop their creative voice, master basic skills - such as researching, reading, writing and speaking - and build important science literacy skills like critical thinking, problem solving and team working.

EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEERISM
Bayer Association for Science in Communities
In Pittsburgh, more than 150 employee-volunteers take an active role in improving science education in local schools through the Bayer Association for Science in Communities (BASIC). Its goals are to spark and nurture children's natural curiosity, and cultivate a better understanding of what science is and what scientists do. BASIC programs include:

Chemistry Is Fun – This entertaining, interactive show created and performed by Bayer volunteers brings important chemistry concepts to life.
Adopt-A-Scientist – Employee-volunteers are “adopted” by a classroom(s), making regular visits during the school year and working closely with the teacher to "supplement" the science curriculum with hands-on experiments.
Wildlife Habitat Council’s Corporate Lands for Learning – BASIC volunteers support this hands-on, environmental learning program on Bayer’s campus.
Science Fair Judging – Employees serve as judges in local science fairs, as well as provide their expertise to students during the planning phase of their projects.
Speakers Bureau – A group of Bayer employee-volunteers talk about career development, industry needs and other science topics before student and other audiences at local schools, organizations and community events.
Pittsburgh Area Science Events - Employee-volunteers participate in an array of community events, including National Chemistry Week, International Children's Festival, the Carnegie Science Center's Regional SciTech Initiative and Expanding Your Horizons - Science Day for Girls.

PUBLIC EDUCATION
Making Science Make Sense Kiosks
Situated at the entrances of both baggage claim areas of the Pittsburgh International Airport, the twin 9-foot tall Making Science Make Sense Kiosks are the result of an agreement between Bayer Corporation and the Allegheny County Airport Authority. The first such public science education installations at any airport in the country, the kiosks feature fun, interactive and entertaining two-minute lessons on a wide variety of science subjects found in everyday life. Designed for use by all members of the public traveling through the airport, including parents and their children, the kiosks answer questions like “Why does the wind blow?” “Why do hummingbirds hum?” and “Why do porcupines have quills?”

Last updated: December 2010

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