Amgen Tour Of California Education Curriculum Endorsed By Governor Schwarzenegger For California 4th-6th Graders
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- A specially created educational study guide tied to the upcoming Amgen Tour of California has been distributed to fourth- through sixth-grade students throughout the ten California cities hosting the inaugural internationally sanctioned professional cycling race February 19-26, 2006. Endorsed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the creatively developed lessons designed to appeal to fourth-sixth grade students use cycling as a vehicle to teach lessons in core subjects as well as bike safety and health according to representatives of AEG, producers of the eight-stage, 600-mile race.
"As educators and role models, we all need to give our children the tools to live long and healthy lives. By encouraging our children to play and exercise at an early age, we are taking a positive role in forming the habits that will help them grow into active and fit adults," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "By offering these lessons, this curriculum plays an invaluable role in teaching the next generation of leaders."
Intended to increase awareness about the sport of cycling and to encourage students to start riding bicycles for exercise, recreation and lifelong health, the curriculum offers lessons in bike safety and maintenance, history, geography, science, math and nutrition.
"Part of the mission of this event is to give back to the communities that we visit," said Bob Colarossi, managing director, Amgen Tour of California. "As an investment in the future of California's children, the education curriculum is a core element of that mission and will help ensure that we leave a positive footprint on communities throughout the state."
Cities throughout the state are supplementing the education curriculum with student essay contests and school assemblies. An example of this is the "Earn a Bike" assembly hosted by the City of Sausalito Parks and Recreation Department. As part of this program, students in the Sausalito Marin City School District will complete community service activities to be eligible to win a free bike.
The program culminates in a district-wide assembly today, February 16, and a school trip to Stage 1 of the Amgen Tour of California on February 20. Riders from the Colavita Olive Oil/Sutter Home Wine Professional Cycling Team will attend the assembly at Bayside School to demonstrate proper bike safety habits and teach students about the benefits of living an active lifestyle.
"We hope that teachers use the knowledge that they and their students have gained through the curriculum when they come out to cheer the international field of competitors racing in the Amgen Tour of California," continued Colarossi. "The next great champion of American cycling may be standing on the roadside at this year's race, exposed to this great sport through an educational field trip."
With an emphasis on health, wellness and lessons that are derived from the history of cycling, the geography of California, and the elements of the sport that are affected by math and science, the curriculum presents a well-rounded educational piece for teachers.
About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses. With a broad and deep pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.
About AEG
AEG is one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world. AEG, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Anschutz Corporation, owns or controls a collection of companies including facilities such as STAPLES Center, The Home Depot Center, The Manchester Evening News Arena and NOKIA Theatre Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), five Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of shares of the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) and Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA) owned by Philip Anschutz and the Amgen Tour of California to all aspects of live contemporary music performance, touring and a variety of programming and multi-media production. AEG LIVE, the organization's live-entertainment division, is a collection of companies dedicated to fully developing the 28-acre Millennium Dome and adjacent property located in the eastern part of London along the Thames River and will create the O2, a new arena within the 'Dome' and additional arenas, on a 50-acre site in the heart of Berlin and Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri; stadiums in Bridgeview, Illinois and Harrison, New Jersey. For more information, visit AEG today at www.aegworldwide.com.
CONTACTS: Michael Roth Michael Henson AEG GolinHarris Vice President, Communications (213) 438-8762 (213) 742-7155 (917) 902-0767 mroth@staplescenter.commehenson@golinharris.com
AEGCONTACT: Michael Roth, Vice President, Communications of AEG,+1-213-742-7155, mroth@staplescenter.com; or Michael Henson of GolinHarris,+1-213-438-8762, or +1-917-902-0767, mehenson@golinharris.com, for AEG