Rohm and Haas Helps Kids "Have a Ball With Chemistry"

School visits, national poster contest, and fun educational videos
demonstrate the science behind sports for National Chemistry Week
PHILADELPHIA--(Business Wire)--
Some would consider Rohm and Haas scientist Mario Mirabelli an
expert on molecules, not baseball. Thousands of children across the
country, however, know better thanks to Rohm and Haas's celebration of
National Chemistry Week (Oct. 19-25).

Using old sports equipment provided by the Philadelphia Sports
Hall of Fame, Mirabelli demonstrated the incredible impact of science
on sports safety and performance for nearly 500 schoolchildren,
helping them "Have a Ball With Chemistry," the theme for National
Chemistry Week. At Masterman School in Philadelphia, Mirabelli also
previewed a set of educational videos Rohm and Haas produced with The
Franklin Institute and honored fifth-grader Valentino Papa of
Philadelphia, one of the winners of the Rohm and Haas "Having a Ball
With Chemistry" National Poster Contest.

Papa said prior to National Chemistry Week, he wasn't aware of
science's prominent role in sports.

"I'm beginning to wonder what more might there be," said Papa, who
won a $400 bike for his winning entry, which focused on his love of
soccer. "It makes sports more interesting because now you can think of
all the things you didn't know before."

Mirabelli also demonstrated the science behind sports for a group
of pre-K students at Children's Village in Philadelphia.

"Understanding what goes on behind the scenes will enrich
children's concept of chemistry so that they will now look at a ball
or bat in a different way," said Eileen Flannery, Children's Village
School Age Coordinator.

Kids everywhere have a ball playing sports. Few, however, are
aware that every kick of a soccer ball or swing of a bat is a science
experiment. The videos produced by Rohm and Haas and The Franklin
Institute explain how science impacts a variety of sports, like
bicycling, snowboarding, hockey, and basketball.

The combination of physics, chemistry and materials science enable
participants' abilities to be that much better, and they make the
sporting experience safer. Take snowboarding for example: To reduce
weight and stiffness, board makers layer sophisticated materials
around a smaller wooden core to make a "science sandwich" held
together with acrylic epoxy adhesives, themselves the product of
chemistry research.

These two-minute videos are available at
go.rohmhaas.com/havingaball and are a fun, educational tool designed
for schoolchildren through middle school, teachers, and parents alike.

PHOTO Links:

http://www.rohmhaas.com/vocus/images/GHP6324.jpg

L-R, Barbara DelDuke, Rohm and Haas, Marjorie Neff, JR Masterman
Middle School Principal, Mimi Zuzga, teacher, and Mario Mirabelli,
Rohm and Haas scientist congratulate fifth-grader, Valentino Papa, one
of the winners of the Rohm and Haas "Having a Ball With Chemistry"
National Poster Contest. About 400 JR Masterman Middle School students
look on in the background during a specially held assembly hosted by
Rohm and Haas company during National Chemistry Week.

http://www.rohmhaas.com/vocus/images/GHP6481.jpg

L-R, Mario Mirabelli, Rohm and Haas scientist compliments Stephen
Grunwald, JR Masterman Middle School Health and Physical Ed. teacher
dressed in classic sports protective gear used in earlier
demonstration to students to show how chemistry has helped athletic
gear do a better job of protecting athletes.

About National Chemistry Week

National Chemistry Week is a community based program of the
American Chemical Society (ACS). The annual event, in its 21st year,
unites ACS local sections, businesses, schools, and individuals in
communicating the importance of chemistry to our quality of life. The
mission of National Chemistry Week is to reach the public,
particularly elementary school children, with positive messages about
chemistry.

Thousands of volunteers from local ACS sections across the country
conduct hands-on science activities in their communities, with a focus
on elementary and secondary school children. Chemists, chemical
engineers, teachers, and students volunteer their time, energy, and
expertise to present chemistry demonstrations, and also put together
contests for children, conduct workshops, visit classrooms, and host
open houses. These programs and activities have been held in venues as
diverse as science museums, shopping malls, hospitals, libraries,
classrooms, and chemical companies. For more information, visit
www.acs.org.

About Rohm and Haas Company

Leading the way since 1909, Rohm and Haas is a global pioneer in
the creation and development of innovative technologies and solutions
for the specialty materials industry. The company's technologies are
found in a wide range of industries including: Building and
Construction, Electronics and Electronic Devices, Household Goods and
Personal Care, Packaging and Paper, Transportation, Pharmaceutical and
Medical, Water, Food and Food Related, and Industrial Process.
Innovative Rohm and Haas technologies and solutions help to improve
life every day, around the world. Based in Philadelphia, Pa., the
company generated annual sales of approximately $8.9 billion in 2007.
Visit www.rohmhaas.com for more information. imagine the
possibilities(TM)

About The Franklin Institute

Founded in honor of America's first scientist, Benjamin Franklin,
The Franklin Institute is a renowned and innovative leader in the
field of science and technology learning, as well as a dynamic center
of activity. It is dedicated to creating a passion for science by
offering new and exciting access to science and technology in ways
that would dazzle and delight its namesake. For more information,
please visit www.fi.edu .

Rohm and Haas Company
Barbara DelDuke, 215-592-3356
bdelduke@rohmhaas.com
or
Simon Public Relations Group
Joe Petrucci, 215-545-4715, x21
jpetrucci@simonpr.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008