For More Information, Contact:

For Immediate Release                                                          Kristi Gray Shepherd (952-920-5875)

kristishepherd@msn.com                                   Jill M. Hornbacher (952-402-2868)

                                                                                    jill.m.hornbacher@seagate.com

                                                                                   

SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY SPONSORS
THE MINNESOTA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE STATE FAIR

 

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.April 4, 2003 – The Minnesota Academy of Science announced today that Seagate Technology will be the major sponsor of the Minnesota Academy of Science State Fair for the sixth year running. The annual event, held this year in Duluth, Minn., April 11-13, is an annual event showcasing Minnesota students’ best work in the field of science.

 

Every year approximately 25,000 participants in grades 7 through 12 throughout Minnesota compete in local and regional science fairs, and close to 450 of them rise to participate in the state’s annual competition. In addition to Seagate’s primary sponsorship, about 75 other organizations and businesses present awards to students who participate with a project, research paper, or both, in one of the following 14 categories – Behavioral and Social Science, Biochemistry, Botany, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Environmental Science, Geology, Gerontology, Mathematics, Medicine and Health, Microbiology, Physics and Zoology.

 

Due to its success in 2002, Seagate will again sponsor two science mentor awards. These awards provide an annual, statewide opportunity to recognize K-12 teachers who have mentored students participating in science fair competition. The first award will be for a teacher having one to ten years of teaching experience and the second for a teacher with 11 or more years of teaching experience. Winning teachers receive a $1,000 and a commemorative plaque. The teachers’ schools also receive $1,000 and a plaque.  Students nominate their teachers through the Minnesota Academy of Science.

 

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“We are thrilled that Seagate is continuing their sponsorship of this award,” said Tamara Hauser, Executive Director of the Minnesota Academy of Science. “Seagate’s support allows us to acknowledge the hard work of teachers who consistently go above and beyond to give these remarkable students additional opportunity.  It also encourages new involvement from teachers and students who have not yet taken part in our state-wide science fair programs.”

 

Seagate sponsors the Minnesota Academy of Science State Fair event as a means to promote the fields of science and technology among Minnesota’s youth. By encouraging creativity, reinforcing practical application of their skills and rewarding academic excellence, Seagate hopes to cultivate students and help them develop the skills necessary to succeed in the fields of science and technology.  The Seagate sponsorship also covers the cost of the four winning students from the state fair to attend the Intel International Science and Engineer Fair (ISEF), which is being held in Cleveland, Ohio, May 11-17, 2003.

 

“Educational programs such as science fairs bolster the science and technology skills of students who will become tomorrow’s leaders and innovators,” said Tom Porter, executive vice president and chief technical officer for Seagate. “We share the Minnesota Academy of Science’s vision and commitment to encouraging and facilitating excellence in science education at all levels.”

 

About Minnesota Academy of Science

The Minnesota Academy of Science encourages and facilitates excellence in science and education and fosters active and integrated participation in scientific inquiry. Since 1873, the organization has been striving to foster an interest in science, promote quality scientific research and inquiry, improve instruction, disseminate knowledge, encourage interaction and collaboration, and recognize high achievement in science, education, engineering and technology.   Additional information regarding MAS and its programs can be found at www.mnmas.org.

 

About Seagate Technology

Seagate is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacturing and marketing of hard disc drives for Enterprise, PC and Consumer Electronics applications.  The Company is committed to delivering award-winning products, customer support and reliability, to meet the world’s growing demand for information storage.  Seagate can be found around the globe and at www.seagate.com.

 

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