Siemens Foundation Announces Changes in STEM Programming to Align with Enhanced Mission

After 19 years as one of the nation’s premier science competitions for high school students, the Siemens Foundation announced today that the 2017 Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology was its final competition.

The decision is based on the Siemens Foundation’s Board of Directors’ belief that the investments made in the competition can now serve students more effectively through other initiatives.

“Over the last few years we’ve taken a close look at changes in the U.S. and the people, programs and expertise we have to address those needs and we’ve adjusted our investments accordingly,” explained David Etzwiler, CEO of the Siemens Foundation. “Addressing inequalities in economic opportunity and the vanishing middle-class of America is an area where we believe we can be a part of the solution.”

The Siemens Foundation will continue to focus on providing young people with access to STEM education and training options that provide economic opportunity, particularly those that do not require a four-year college degree. The Foundation looks forward to expanding the momentum developed from its partnerships with The Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program, the National Governors Association’s Center for Best Practices, the Center on Education & Skills at New America, Advance CTE and PATH. New programs will be announced later this year.

The Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology started in 1999. Since then, more than $10 million in scholarships were handed out during the Competition’s run – with hundreds of students benefiting each year from being named Siemens Competition semi- or regional finalists.

“It has been an incredible privilege to witness the brilliance, compassion and commitment of the next generation of scientists and innovators that participated in the Siemens Competition over the years,” said Etzwiler. “We are thrilled to have been part of America’s long-standing legacy of sponsoring outstanding science competitions. The Siemens Foundation will now devote more of its attention to what we hope will be another educational pathway to great innovation and leadership.”

For more information, please go to: https://www.siemens-foundation.org/programs/siemens-competition-archives

The Siemens Foundation

The Siemens Foundation has invested more than $100 million in the United States to advance workforce development and education initiatives in science, technology, engineering and math. The Siemens Foundation’s mission is inspired by the culture of innovation, research and continuous learning that is the hallmark of Siemens’ companies. Together, the programs at the Siemens Foundation are closing the opportunity gap for young people in the U.S. when it comes to STEM careers, and igniting and sustaining today’s STEM workforce and tomorrow’s scientists and engineers. For more information, visit https://www.siemens-foundation.org or follow @sfoundation.

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