Abbott Testifies Before U.S. Congress on Role of Private Sector in Advancing Science...

Abbott Testifies Before U.S. Congress on Role of Private Sector in Advancing
Science Education
Abbott Testifies about Its Part in Multi-stakeholder, 'Systems' Approach to
Improve Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education in Chicago

WASHINGTON, July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- In a hearing today of the U.S. House of
Representatives Subcommittee on Research and Science Education, part of the
larger Committee on Science and Technology, Abbott (NYSE: ABT) testified on
its contributions as a private sector company in a multi-stakeholder, systems
approach to improving kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) science,
technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

"At Abbott, we believe that one of the most valuable contributions we can make
is providing students with access to our research and development facilities
and our scientists, who engage one-on-one with students," said Kathy Pickus,
division vice president, Global Citizenship and Policy, Abbott, and vice
president, the Abbott Fund. "Some of today's science and engineering students
will grow up to become the inventors and innovators of tomorrow's medicines
and medical devices."

Abbott's Approach to Advancing Science Education

Abbott supports numerous approaches to encourage young people's interest in
science and innovation. Abbott employees actively volunteer their time and
share their passion for science through community schools and programs. The
Abbott Fund, Abbott's non-profit philanthropic foundation, has contributed $23
million during the last five years in the U.S. in support of programs that
advance STEM education at the K-12 and collegiate levels in the Chicago area,
as well as in other Abbott communities.

In her testimony, Pickus explained that Abbott's approach involves supporting
programs that are:

-- Built around strong partnerships, with existing educational
organizations with proven records of success, such as After School
Matters, which helps teens take part in engaging activities that
provide
skills that translate to the workplace
-- Strategic, systemic and sustainable, driven by scientific evidence and
measurable outcomes, and can operate for the long-term through
educator
training, the recruitment of additional partners and other strategies

-- Designed to serve as a catalyst, where Abbott's involvement
encourages other companies and stakeholders to get involved, as well
as
Abbott employee volunteers

"We need to create a culture for students in which their interest in science
is encouraged, including through real world experiences beyond the classroom,"
said Pickus.

Abbott supports a number of "hands-on" science learning programs such as
Abbott Family Science, where Abbott scientists perform experiments at schools
with children ages 5-10, Operation Discovery, providing middle school students
with experiences at Abbott facilities, and After School Matters-Science37,
providing high school students with access to the city of Chicago's science
sectors.

In addition, Abbott supports organizations that encourage young students to
explore engineering through interactive projects and competitions, such as the
Collegiate Inventors Competition, and the U.S. Foundation for Inspiration and
Recognition of Science and Technology's Robotics Competition. The company
also supports science exhibits at museums, such as "You! The Experience"
opening at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago later this year.

Today's hearing focused on Chicago Public Schools as a large urban school
district case study. Chaired by Congressman Daniel Lipinski of Illinois' 3rd
District, the hearing included representatives from a variety of stakeholder
organizations credited with helping increase student interest in science
education.

In addition to Pickus, the panel included Maggie Daley, chair, After School
Matters; Michael Lach, officer of teaching and learning, Chicago Public
Schools; Dr. Wanda Ward, acting assistant director, Directorate for Education
and Human Resources, National Science Foundation; and Dr. Donald Wink,
director of Undergraduate Studies, Department of Chemistry, and director of
graduate studies, Learning Sciences Research Institute, University of Illinois
at Chicago.

About the Abbott Fund
The Abbott Fund is a philanthropic foundation established by Abbott in 1951.
The Abbott Fund's mission is to create healthier global communities by
investing in creative ideas that promote science, expand access to health care
and strengthen communities worldwide. For more information, visit
www.abbottfund.org.

About Abbott
Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery,
development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical
products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs
more than 72,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's
Web site at www.abbott.com.

SOURCE Abbott

Kurt Ebenhoch of Abbott, +1-847-936-9746