Bayer MaterialScience LLC Helps Heighten Awareness of Science Education and Sustainability with Educational Programs at CONSOL Energy Center

Pittsburgh, PA, March 21, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Continuing its longstanding commitment to science education and sustainability, Bayer MaterialScience LLC is sponsoring two new educational programs at Pittsburgh’s newest sports and entertainment venue -- CONSOL Energy Center: the “Science and Sport” kiosks and the “Go Behind the Green” facility tours.

“We are excited to join with the Pittsburgh Penguins to promote science education and sustainability to a broad audience,” said Bob Kumpf, chief administrative officer and head of Bayer North American Corporate Sustainability Community Council, Bayer MaterialScience LLC. “Not only is Bayer MaterialScience LLC’s involvement a natural extension of two of our major company initiatives – science education and sustainable construction – but it also gives us another opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to the Pittsburgh area, which has been our hometown since the 1950s.”

The Science and Sport kiosks teach children and adults quick facts about how science and sport are linked. The video display covers a range of topics and explains how technology, materials and equipment improve an athlete’s performance. For example, how does a hockey puck move so fast across the ice and why does the baseball have stitches.

The two kiosks are located near the World’s Largest Goalie Mask and the giant hockey stick on the main concourse near the First Niagara Club. The mask, created by well-known artist David Arrigo, is a popular attraction for attendees at CONSOL Energy Center events. The materials from which the mask is constructed are protected by a high-performance polyurethane coating utilizing raw materials from Bayer MaterialScience LLC.

The guided “Go Behind the Green” tours include various stops throughout the Center where visitors learn the practical application of concepts that earned the facility its LEED Gold energy-efficiency status from the U.S. Green Building Council. The tours also showcase a variety of energy-saving technologies at work in and around the building, ranging from energy reduction to recycling.

A Commitment to Science and Sustainability
As a science- and research-based company with major businesses in health care, nutrition and innovative materials, Bayer Corporation has a strong stake in helping to improve science education and ensure that all individuals are scientifically literate. Bayer demonstrates this commitment with its national award-winning Making Science Make Sense® (MSMS) program, a company-wide initiative that advances science literacy across the United States through hands-on, inquiry-based science learning, employee volunteerism and public education.

Bayer MaterialScience LLC’s commitment to sustainable building is illustrated by its EcoCommercial Building (ECB) initiative and the wide variety of products that are currently being utilized in sustainable building design and construction solutions including LED lighting systems, spray or rigid polyurethane foam from Bayer MaterialScience, photovoltaic modules and more. ECB advocates an integrated, collaborative approach to sustainable building design and technologies. Network member and alliance organizations provide products and services aligned with several building solution areas (Building Envelope Insulation; Daylighting; Illumination; Indoor Environmental Quality; Sustainable Energy; Intelligent Building; and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) that help to increase sustainability and reduce energy costs.

Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with approximately 14,300 employees at 30 production sites around the world and 2009 sales of 7.5 billion euros. The company manufactures high-tech polymer materials and develops innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries. Sustainability is central to Bayer MaterialScience LLC’s business and is based around the key areas of innovation, product stewardship, excellence in corporate management, social responsibility and respect for the environment.

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