WHITEHOUSE, N.J. - August 4, 2008 - The Merck Institute for Science Education (MISE) announced today that it has launched The Academy for Leadership in Science Instruction, a new three-year program to improve science instructional practice within public schools in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Academy is the latest initiative in MISE's 15 years of work to help achieve the nation's STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education objectives and make a lasting difference in education reform.

"The Academy for Leadership in Science Instruction offers educators a unique experience to come together to build a vision of effective science instruction in our public schools," said Dr. Carlo Parravano, Executive Director, MISE.

"Participants will bring back to their schools this fall new experiences and professional relationships that will help improve their teaching of science and that can help improve student performance. Strong science education in our schools is essential for the economic development and well-being of our communities. MISE is proud to have an opportunity to collaborate with such a committed team of educators during the inaugural launch of the Academy."

Nearly 120 teachers and principals from 22 schools within the school districts of Elizabeth, Hillside, Linden, Rahway and Readington Township, New Jersey, and North Penn, Pennsylvania, will participate in the program, which begins this week with the first annual five-day residential Academy. Over three consecutive years, Academy participants will also attend two full-day academic-year sessions, four quarterly two-hour team meetings throughout the academic year, and two outreach experiences to engage colleagues in providing effective science instruction.

The Academy will provide opportunities for educators to deepen their knowledge and develop effective leadership skills to improve science instructional practice, science curriculum and science assessment in their schools.

The Academy is a natural next step for MISE and is an outgrowth of the work the Institute is already doing in developing professional learning communities in and among schools and districts. Throughout the past 15 years, MISE has developed a partnership with the six districts that are participating in the Academy primarily around professional development and improving student achievement in science.

"Our district is fortunate to have been a member of this partnership for so long," said Caroline Crew, Coordinator of Elementary Science and Mathematics for the North Penn School District. "So many of our teachers, and therefore our students, have benefited from the high-quality professional development to which we have access as a result of the partnership.It was not difficult to recruit team members for this year's group as teachers and administrators recognize the quality of the professional development and how it will support improved science instruction in their schools and district. We are looking forward to all of our schools participating in the Academy over the coming years."

About MISE
With a $38 million commitment by the New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company Merck & Co., Inc., MISE was founded in 1993 as a non-profit organization dedicated to improving science education from kindergarten through 12th grade and influencing education policy. During the past 15 years, MISE has become a model for how corporations can support the nation's STEM education objectives and make a lasting difference in education reform by committing to long-term partnerships focused on the specific goals of:

• Developing and delivering research-based professional development opportunities to enhance teacher knowledge and skills
  
• Providing access to high-quality curriculum materials and resources
  
  
• Building communities within a school that are committed to strengthening science teaching and learning within and across schools and school districts
  
• Promoting local, state and national policies that support effective science education

In 2006, MISE was included as a best practice in "Innovation America-Building a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Agenda," published by the National Governors Association.

For more information, visit www.mise.org

To arrange an interview with Dr. Carlo Parravano or participants in this week's Academy, please contact Maggie Kohn at maggie_kohn@merck.com or 908-423-5655.

Merck & Co., Inc.

Merck & Co., Inc.

At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

More from Merck & Co., Inc.