Nation's Highest Achievers in Advanced Placement® Math & Science Win Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement

ISELIN, N.J., Feb. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The nation's top achievers in Advanced Placement science and mathematics courses were recognized today as winners of the 2010 Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement.  The annual awards honor up to 100 of America's top performers in Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) science and math courses with a $2,000 college scholarship to one male and one female student in each state.  This year, 98 high school students in 50 states – including 91 seniors, six juniors and one sophomore – were recognized.  Established in 1998, the Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement is a signature program of the Siemens Foundation and is administered by the College Board.  

For a complete list of winners and to view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/siemensfoundation/48332/

Tina Chen, a senior at State College Area High School in State College, Pennsylvania, and Rohit Agrawal, a senior at Wayzata High School in Plymouth, Minnesota, were named the national winners.  Each will receive a $5,000 college scholarship.  The remaining 96 students will each receive a $2,000 scholarship.  

"These students lead the nation in performance on AP math and science courses and we are proud to support them as they strive for excellence," said Jeniffer Harper-Taylor, President of the Siemens Foundation.

Encouraging students to pursue academic careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is a national priority.  Students who take AP math and science courses major in STEM fields at significantly higher rates than other students, according to the study, "AP Students in College:  An Analysis of Five-Year Academic Careers," released by the College Board in 2007.  Student participation in AP science and mathematics courses grew 9 percent to 1.8 million students from 2009 to 2010.

"The Advanced Placement Program is an effective tool for fostering student achievement in math and science, and by rewarding students who excel in AP science and math, the Siemens Foundation is investing in our nation's next generation of scientists and mathematicians," said Gaston Caperton, President of the College Board.

The Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement

Established in 1998, the Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement (http://www.siemens-foundation.org/en/advanced_placement.htm) award $2,000 college scholarships to students from each of the 50 states who have earned the greatest number of scores of 5 on exams in the following AP® courses:  Biology, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Computer Science A, Environmental Science, Statistics, Physics C Mechanics and Physics C Electricity and Magnetism.  Each state potentially has two winners, one male and one female.  Two additional national winners (one male, one female) are awarded a $5,000 college scholarship.  

The Siemens Foundation

The Siemens Foundation provides more than $7 million annually in support of educational initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the United States. Its signature programs include the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement, and The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, which encourages K-12 students to develop innovative green solutions for environmental issues.  By supporting outstanding students today, and recognizing the teachers and schools that inspire their excellence, the Foundation helps nurture tomorrow's scientists and engineers.  The Foundation's mission is based on the culture of innovation, research and educational support that is the hallmark of Siemens' U.S. companies and its parent company, Siemens AG.  For more information, visit www.siemens-foundation.org.

The College Board

The College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education. Today, the membership association is made up of more than 5,900 of the world's leading educational institutions and is dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education. Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success -- including the SAT® and the Advanced Placement Program®. The organization also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators and schools.  For further information, visit www.collegeboard.com.

Follow the Siemens Foundation on Twitter (www.twitter.com/sfoundation) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/SiemensFoundation).  More information and photos for the 2010 Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement are available at http://www.siemens-foundation.org/en/advanced_placement/appphoto2011.htm.

SOURCE Siemens Foundation