EAST HANOVER and PARSIPPANY, N.J., May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Students 2 Science, Inc. (S2S) hosted students from Newark Science Park High School for a day of hands-on science as part of its year-long “Supercharged Science” program. During the ‘day of science,’ students worked in a lab alongside mentor volunteers to conduct a series of scientific experiments, including:

• “Copper Electroplating,” where students plated an iron nail with copper using electrolysis and compared results against theory;
• “Name that Salt,” where students identified six different types of salt using visible spectroscopic flame test;
• “Sulfur identification,” where students identified sulfur using an igniter; and a titration in the presence of a color indicator;
• “Molecular Structure identification,” where students identified various sweeteners using infrared spectroscopy.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100507/NY01144 )

According to S2S, these experiments and curriculum taught students the fundamental principles of chemistry and also tapped into problem solving skills.

The “Supercharged Science” program is one of many integrated full-year science education programs offered by S2S that provides students the opportunity to work side-by-side with professional scientists to perform hands-on experiments using sophisticated laboratory instrumentation. Through support provided in-part from Daiichi Sankyo, S2S developed the program, purchased laboratory supplies and provided teacher stipends for curriculum development work.

“At a time when our school systems are facing significant resource challenges, we are excited that socially responsible companies such as Daiichi Sankyo are focusing philanthropic initiatives around science education,” said Paul A. Winslow, Ph.D., President and Co-Founder of Students 2 Science. “Their commitment underscores the importance of fostering science education among middle and high school students. When students are intrigued by a new idea, they are compelled to discover more. We believe this is an essential component that leads to creativity and a heightened state of exploration and excitement.”

Research shows that the current economy demands professionals with expertise in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); however, the number of college degrees in STEM disciplines is decreasing in the U.S. According to the National Science Board, test scores for American students in STEM subjects drop rapidly after eighth grade, and by the end of 12th grade, proficiency in these subjects is below average compared to other industrialized nations.

“I began my career as an organic chemist, which was inspired early in life by my natural curiosity and interest in science. While I no longer spend my time in a lab, science has become the foundation on which I built my career,” said Joe Pieroni, President and CEO, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. “It’s more important than ever for the private sector to get involved in the education of tomorrow’s leaders, especially in support of programs that provide opportunities for students who otherwise may not have ready access to them.”

During a proof of concept study, conducted in May 2009 for 28 students, S2S administered a baseline test to measure proficiency in science per the state core curriculum content standards. When the test was administered again post class, 71 percent of participating students had improved scores, and there was a 25 percent increase in the number of students now considering STEM-related careers.

The East Hanover facility houses approximately 4,000 sq feet of commercial laboratory space equipped with state of the art instrumentation to perform wet chemistry, organic chemistry, chromatography, spectroscopy, biology, botany, biotechnology, ecology, environmental science, computer science, engineering, and robotics. It has the capacity to host approximately 10,000 students per year.

About Science 2 Students

Students 2 Science, Inc. is a New Jersey non-profit corporation inspiring, motivating, and educating students to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Encouraging STEM subjects is especially important for minority, underrepresented, inner-city, and women students who traditionally have considered these fields of study to be unattractive or out of reach. We make our program available to all students. For more information, visit www.students2science.org.

About Daiichi Sankyo

Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, is the U.S. subsidiary of Tokyo-based Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., which is a global pharmaceutical innovator. The company’s mission is to enrichment the quality of life around the world through the creation and provision of innovative pharmaceuticals. A central focus of Daiichi Sankyo’s research and development is cardiovascular disease, including therapies for dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes and acute coronary syndrome. Also important to the company is the discovery of new medicines in the areas of infectious diseases, cancer, bone and joint diseases, and immune disorders. For more information, visit www.dsi.com.

SOURCE Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.