America’s Premiere High School Science Competition Announces The Class Of 2009

Semifinalists and Regional Finalists of the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology Are Named

Regional Finals Start November 6, 2009

NISELIN, N.J., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the Siemens Foundation announced the Semifinalists and Regional Finalists of the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, revealing the brightest high school minds in contention for the nation’s most coveted teen science prize.

The nation’s leading original research competition in math, science and technology for high school students, the Siemens Competition is administered annually by the College Board, awarding college scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $100,000 in individual and team categories. The Siemens Competition is a signature program of the Siemens Foundation, the national leader in supporting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education with contributions surpassing $7 million each year.

A record number of 1,348 projects were received this year for the Siemens Competition, an increase of 12 percent over 2008 figures. The number of students submitting projects increased by 14 percent while more students than ever, 2,151, registered to enter. This year, 318 students were named semifinalists along with 96 students being honored as regional finalists. The combined 414 semifinalists and regional finalists hail from 34 states and the District of Columbia. The 96 regional finalist whiz kids will be called to compete at one of six regional competitions held over three consecutive weekends in November. A complete list of semifinalists and regional finalists is available at www.siemens-foundation.org.

Regional finalists will go head-to-head presenting their research with peers across the nation. Regional Finals begin on November 6, 2009. The events are hosted by six of America’s leading research universities: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (November 6-7); Georgia Institute of Technology (November 6-7); University of Notre Dame (November 13-14); University of Texas at Austin (November 13-14); Carnegie Mellon University (November 20-21) and California Institute of Technology (November 20-21).

Winners of the regional events are invited to compete at the National Finals at New York University in New York City, December 3 – December 7, 2009. Visit www.siemens-foundation.org on December 7, 2009 at 9:30 am EST to view a live webcast of the National Finalist Award Presentation. You can also log into and follow the Siemens Foundation on Twitter (http://twitter.com/SFoundation) for the latest information and announcements throughout this year’s competition.

About the Siemens Foundation

The Siemens Foundation provides more than $7 million annually in support of educational initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math in the United States. Its signature programs, the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology and Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement, reward exceptional achievement in science, math and technology. The newest program, The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, encourages K-12 students to develop innovative green solutions for environmental issues. By supporting outstanding students today, and recognizing the teachers and schools that inspire their excellence, the Foundation helps nurture tomorrow’s scientists and engineers. The Foundation’s mission is based on the culture of innovation, research and educational support that is the hallmark of Siemens’ U.S. companies and its parent company, Siemens AG. For more information, visit www.siemens-foundation.org.

The College Board

The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board is composed of more than 5,600 schools, colleges, universities and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,800 colleges through major programs and services in college readiness, college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Among its best-known programs are the SAT®, the PSAT/NMSQT® and the Advanced Placement Program® (AP®). The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities and concerns. For further information, visit www.collegeboard.com.

CONTACT:  Valerie Francois, Siemens Foundation, +1-732-590-5292, valerie.francois@siemens.com; or Judy Huang, +1-212-445-8346, jyhuang@webershandwick.com, or Alex Aizenberg, +1-212-445-8414, aaizenberg@webershandwick.com, or Jennifer Moore, +1-212-445-8430, Jennifer.moore@webershandwick.com, all of Weber Shandwick