FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

Release No. SPR-07-814-01   

Aimée O’Grady, AIHA Student Activities
(703) 846-0768; aogrady@aiha.org
      
Melissa Hurley, AIHA Communications
(703) 846-0740; mhurley@aiha.org

AIHA Donates $5,000 to the Science Olympiad

AIHA increases student outreach efforts by supporting premier science competition

FAIRFAX, VA (August 14, 2007) — The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) announced today that it is sponsoring a contribution of $5,000 to the Science Olympiad to promote student interest in science and to improve the quality of K-12 science education throughout the nation.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to make this contribution to the Science Olympiad and support its efforts on behalf of STEM education,” said AIHA President Donald J. Hart, PhD, CIH. “Today’s science students are the future of our profession, and we hope that this donation will help some of our most promising future leaders.”

“Career education is a vital component of Science Olympiad, and we look forward to reaching middle school and high school students across America who are interested in industrial hygiene and workplace safety through our competitions,” said Dr. Gerard Putz, president and co-founder of Science Olympiad. “We are grateful for AIHA’s financial and volunteer support and welcome a lasting partnership.”

Fulfilling a desire to bring excitement to science competitions, Science Olympiad was founded in 1983 by educators Dr. Gerard J. Putz and John C. Cairns. After successful tournaments were held in Michigan and Delaware, the program began to attract interest from school districts all around the country.

What began as a grassroots assembly of science educators has now become one of the premier science competitions in the nation. Science Olympiad has members in all 50 states and Canada, totaling more than 14,500 actively participating K-12 schools. At the competitive level, elementary, middle, and high school students with a knack for science have a chance to excel outside the classroom. Secondary teams advancing to state and national tournaments are celebrated at pep rallies, travel to major universities, make new friends, and experience what it’s like to be a star in the community.

Science Olympiad is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of K-12 science education; increasing male, female, and minority interest in science; and providing recognition for outstanding achievement by students and teachers. These goals are achieved by participating in Science Olympiad tournaments, incorporating Science Olympiad into classroom curricula, and attending teacher training institutes.

For more information on AIHA’s student outreach efforts, visit http://www.aiha.org/Content/AccessInfo/Students/students.htm or contact Aimée O’Grady, student activities program manager, at (703) 846-0768 or aogrady@aiha.org.

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Founded in 1939, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) is the premier association of occupational and environmental health and safety professionals. AIHA’s 11,600 members play a crucial role on the front line of worker health and safety every day. Members represent a cross-section of industry, private business, labor, government, and academia.