Kohrt attended State Science Day May 11 to announce Battelle's support for the return of the Buckeye Science and Engineering Fair in 2003. He appeared with Gov. Bob Taft, the governor's Education Adviser Elizabeth Ross, and the Director of the Ohio Academy of Science, Lynn Elfner.

"Science and engineering are crucial to the future of Ohio-its quality of life, its economy, its educational system and its role as a high tech state," Kohrt said. "We are challenging other Ohio companies and organization to get aboard for subsequent years."

Ohio students hoping to compete in one of the country's most prestigious science fairs found themselves short of funds after a state subsidy was cut last year.

Battelle's donation will fund the Buckeye Science and Engineering Fair in 2003, a regional competition that qualifies students for the International Science and Engineering Fair. About 1,200 students from 48 states compete in the International Fair to be held in Louisville, KY.

Battelle serves industry and government in the areas of technology development, laboratory management, and technology commercialization. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle has annual revenues of $1 billion, has operations at more than 100 locations and clients in 30 countries. It counts as its successes the development of the office copier machine (Xerox), pioneering work on the compact disc, medical technology breakthroughs, and fiber optic advancements for telecommunications. To learn more about Battelle, visit www.battelle.org.

For more information contact Media Relations Manager Katy Delaney at (614) 424-5544 or at delaneyk@battelle.org.