New Science Teacher Academy Selects 45 Science Educators to Embark upon Yearlong Professional Learning Fellowship

Selected from hundreds of applications nationwide, the fellows will participate in a host of science-related activities and professional development opportunities.

ARLINGTON, Va., 1/20/15 –The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) New Science Teacher Academy, a yearlong program focused on encouraging and supporting early-career science educators, announced the selection of 45 middle and secondary science teachers from across the country as fellows for this year’s academy.

“Each of the fellows has conveyed a strong desire to develop their skills as teachers so that they can better foster their students’ interest in science,” said NSTA Executive Director Dr. David Evans. “We are very proud of this year’s group of fellows and are grateful for their commitment to science education and to their students.”

This year, Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and the Bayer USA Foundation are supporting the 45 new science teachers selected as fellows in the program. Lockheed Martin is funding the participation of 36 science teachers as Lockheed Martin-NSTA Fellows, while the Bayer USA Foundation is sponsoring Bayer-NSTA Fellowships for nine New Jersey-based science teachers.

The 2014-2015 fellows were selected on the basis of several criteria, including showing evidence of a solid science background and displaying a strong interest in growing as a professional science educator.

Each fellow will receive a discipline-specific mentor, access to a facilitated web-based curriculum devoted to content and classroom pedagogy and an opportunity to participate in a variety of web-based professional development activities. Each fellow will also receive a comprehensive membership package and financial support to attend the NSTA 2015 National Conference on Science Education in Chicago.

“We believe a strong professional development program is vital to the success of new STEM teachers,” said Emily Simone, Lockheed Martin’s Director of Community Relations. “We are proud to support NSTA’s New Science Teacher Academy and applaud the fellows’ commitment to educate and inspire our nation’s future scientists and engineers.”

“At Bayer, our 20-plus year history of investing in quality science education and teacher professional development through our companywide Making Science Make Sense® initiative comes from our belief that by supporting teachers we are helping to ensure that today’s students are fully prepared to participate in the innovation economy,” said Sarah Toulouse, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Bayer Corporation and Executive Director, Bayer USA Foundation. “It’s one of the key reasons why we value the National Science Teachers Association and its New Science Teacher Academy.”

About National Science Teachers Academy

Launched during the spring of 2007, the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy was designed to help promote quality science teaching, enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence, and improve teacher content knowledge. Since its inception, the Academy has provided high-quality professional learning opportunities to more than 1,000 science teachers nationwide.

For a list of the 2014-2015 Fellows or to learn more about the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy, visit www.nsta.org/academy/.

About the National Science Teachers Association

The Arlington, Virginia-based National Science Teachers Association is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA’s current membership includes approximately 55,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 113,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2013 were $45.4 billion. For additional information on Lockheed Martin, please visit www.lockheedmartin.com.

About Bayer Corporation, Bayer USA Foundation and Making Science Make Sense®

Bayer Corporation is a subsidiary of Bayer AG, a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, agriculture and high-tech materials. In North America, Bayer had 2013 net sales of €9,680 million ($12,874 million) and employed 15,200 at year-end. For more information, go to www.bayer.us.

The Bayer USA Foundation is an endowed 501(c)(3) entity with a programmatic focus on education and workforce development, and environment and sustainability. The Foundation supports organizations that enhance quality of life, connect diverse groups, ensure preparedness for tomorrow’s leaders, and improve communities in which Bayer employees live and work. The Bayer USA Foundation is one of three Bayer foundations worldwide, including the Bayer Science & Education Foundation and the Bayer Cares Foundation.

Making Science Make Sense® (MSMS) is Bayer’s company-wide initiative that advances science literacy through hands-on, inquiry-based science education, employee volunteerism and a public education campaign. Currently, 12 Bayer sites around the U.S. operate local MSMS programs, which together represent a national volunteer corps of more than 1,000 employees. For more information, go to www.msms.bayer.us/msms/msms_home.aspx.