THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Nov 10, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Amgen (Nasdaq:AMGN), the world's largest biotechnology company, today announced a call for nominations for its 15th annual Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence. This award is designed to recognize and honor extraordinary science teachers, grades K-12 in communities where Amgen operates, who significantly impact their students through exemplary science teaching and who achieve demonstrated results in student learning.
A longstanding leader in commitment to science education, Amgen established the teacher awards program to promote and encourage science excellence in public and private schools. Since the program's inception in 1992, Amgen has awarded more than one million dollars to educators who have made exceptional science-teaching contributions and who have had a significant impact on the lives of their students.
This year, Amgen will honor a total of 19 teachers in California, Colorado, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Washington and Puerto Rico.
"This marks the 15th year Amgen has honored and celebrated leaders in science education," said Phyllis Piano, vice president Corporate Communications and Philanthropy. "Amgen is committed to supporting science education programs that encourage a diverse mix of bright young students to explore a future in science."
The 15 selected winners within the United States will receive the following benefits:
-- An unrestricted cash award of $5,000;
-- A restricted $5,000 cash grant to the recipient's school for the expansion or enhancement of a school science program, science resources, or the professional development of the school's science teachers;
-- Recognition at an awards banquet and within Amgen corporate materials.
In Puerto Rico, four teachers will be honored, each receiving an unrestricted cash award of $2,500 and a restricted $2,500 cash grant.
A panel of independent judges will select the winners based on the following criteria: creativity of teaching method; effectiveness in the classroom; motivational ability; instructional ability; and the plan for the use of grant money to improve science education resources in their schools.
Those interested in nominating an outstanding teacher should visit www.amgen.com/citizenship/aaste.html for more information. Nominations must be postmarked by January 31, 2006 to be valid. Winners will be notified in April 2006.
About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses. With a broad and deep pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.
EDITOR'S NOTE: An electronic version of this news release may be accessed via our Web site at www.amgen.com. Journalists and media representatives may sign up to receive all news releases electronically at time of announcement by filling out a short form in the Media section of the Web site.
SOURCE: Amgen
Amgen, Thousand Oaks Kristen Klasey, 805-447-4587 (media) Arvind Sood, 805-447-1060 (investors)