With fewer than half of U.S. high school graduates ready for college-level math, and less than a third ready for college level science*, the United States is falling short in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education needed to produce the world-class talent that will be critical to fulfilling the 21st century workforce.

To help address this challenge, The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) and its philanthropic arm, The Dow Chemical Company Foundation, are broadening their long-standing commitment to STEM education by pledging more than $5 million in program funding announced today at the Clinton Global Initiative America conference in Chicago.

"To bolster STEM education in the U.S., we need to engage and excite students and teachers along the full spectrum of continuous learning - from encouraging young students to learn about the power of chemistry to developing teachers who will inspire students to pursue STEM-related careers," said Bo Miller, president and executive director of The Dow Chemical Company Foundation. "Knowledge of chemistry, and other scientific disciplines, is essential to help meet the future needs of our society. It is vital that we have a pipeline of trained technicians and scientists leading collaborative efforts to apply chemistry and discover solutions to some of the world's greatest challenges."

Dow's funding and employee volunteer support will enable three initiatives to increase or accelerate the impact of their programs by generating interest in STEM education among students, providing development opportunities to science teachers and preparing candidates for advanced manufacturing jobs:

• Chemical Education Foundation (CEF): National You Be the Chemist Challenge is an academic competition that engages fifth through eighth grade students in learning about chemistry concepts, discoveries and chemical safety. Challenge competitions in district, regional and state events take place across the U.S., encouraging the collaboration of community organizations, schools and the chemical industry to educate students about the benefits and value of chemistry. Committing $1.2 million to the CEF, Dow will help expand the program from its current 20 to 30 states over the next three years.
  
• National Science Teacher Association (NSTA)'s New Teacher Academy is a professional development initiative created to promote quality science teaching, enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence, and improve content knowledge for educators. The Dow Foundation's $3 million contribution will support approximately 500 early career science teachers across the U.S. with particular focus in Louisiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Texas.
  
• At the Capital Area Technical College, Westside Campus, Dow is partnering with the Louisiana Community and Technical College Foundation and the Iberville Parish School Board to begin the construction of a technical/vocational junior college with a donation of $1 million. In an effort to address the current and forecasted shortages of qualified candidates for advance manufacturing jobs, the school's curricula will include industrial maintenance, healthcare, information technology and business studies. The new 20,000 square feet facility will have an initial student capacity of 160 students, and is being designed to accommodate expansions as the college grows.

These commitments align with Dow's global partnership with the International Year of Chemistry (IYC), designated by the United Nations for 2011. The purpose of IYC is to celebrate the accomplishments of chemistry, to generate enthusiasm among young people for a career in chemistry, and to advance the collaboration between the public and private sectors in applying chemistry to meet the world's needs.

About Dow
Dow (NYSE: Dow) combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses deliver a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2010, Dow had annual sales of $53.7 billion and employed approximately 50,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 35 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

OLD - Dow Chemical Company

OLD - Dow Chemical Company

With annual sales of $54 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.