LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS PRESS RELEASE

LPS Science Education Gets Boost

Originally published on: May 31, 2007

LINCOLN, NE (THURSDAY, FEB. 8, 2007) — The Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools announced today that it has been awarded a $115,000 grant from the Pfizer Foundation to benefit the science departments at Lincoln Northeast High School, Culler Middle School and Mickle Middle School.

Lincoln Northeast High School will receive $70,000 of the gift, while Culler and Mickle Middle Schools will each receive $22,500 for new science equipment.

Accompanying today’s financial gift was a large supply of flasks, beakers and other laboratory glassware donated by Pfizer Inc research sites in Ann Arbor, Mich., and St. Louis, Mo., for use by Lincoln science students. The grant from the Pfizer Foundation will help provide sophisticated equipment such as spectrometers, global positioning systems, and equipment to study life sciences, soil sampling, planetary observation, fossils and germination.

"Our school district is very grateful for this generous grant from the Pfizer Foundation," said LPS Superintendent E. Susan Gourley. "Pfizer has a long-standing relationship as a supporter of our science programs. They continue to assist in providing exciting opportunities for the students of Lincoln. This gift, in addition to the new science classrooms that are currently being built as part of the 2006 bond project, will give these schools updated and current science facilities.”

"With this generous Pfizer gift to the Foundation for  Lincoln Public Schools, these science labs will be filled with exceptional science equipment," said Barb Bartle, Executive Director for the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools.  "This is just another great example of Lincoln's public/private partnerships."

Pfizer regularly sponsors school and district science fairs, offers multiple scholarships to high school students and provides ongoing education opportunities for LPS teachers.

“Pfizer actively supports science and math education because the students of today can become the scientists and innovators of tomorrow.  On behalf of the Pfizer Foundation, the Pfizer Lincoln plant is pleased to present this gift to Lincoln Public Schools,” said Rick Saffee, Director of Pfizer’s Lincoln operations.

The Pfizer Foundation is an independent charitable foundation established by Pfizer Inc to promote access to quality health care and education, to nurture innovation and to support the community involvement of Pfizer's colleagues.  The Foundation has supported the development of educational science laboratories in Pfizer communities around the world.  Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures and markets leading prescription medicines for humans and animals.  The company’s Lincoln site manufactures animal medications, with special emphasis on vaccines.