Sigma-Aldrich® Donates $15,000 To Aim High St. Louis

August 13, 2013 /3BL Media/ - Sigma-Aldrich recently donated $15,000 to Aim High St. Louis to support its 2013 academic and personal enrichment program and has pledged continued support to the program over the next several years. The multi-year grant will be used to develop STEM (Science, Technology, Math and Engineering) programs for Aim High students as well as other programing designed to help Aim High students graduate from high school and go on to further their education.

“We are thrilled to have the support of Sigma-Aldrich. This investment significantly increases the likelihood that nearly 600 Aim High students, over the course of our partnership with Sigma-Aldrich, will graduate and go on to post-secondary studies,” said Aim High Executive Director Julie Angelica. “Without the support of Sigma-Aldrich and other investors, fewer than 350 of those children would likely make it to high school graduation. This is an investment that changes our entire community.” .

Aim High is a four year, tuition free program for approximately 300 hundred high-potential fifth through eighth grade students, the majority of which come from challenging economic and social circumstances. The foundation of the program is an intensive five-week academic and personal enrichment summer session, supported by monthly meetings on Saturdays during the academic year at the host campuses of John Burroughs and St. Louis Priory Schools. Students participate for four years, enabling them to take full advantage of a comprehensive curriculum, which has a long-term impact on their futures. Aim High’s curriculum is designed around the Missouri State Standard Grade Level Expectation for the four core subjects that are addressed – Math, Science, English and Social Studies.

“Sigma-Aldrich is pleased to support such a worthwhile organization,” said Jeffrey Whitford, Sigma-Aldrich Manager, Global Citizenship. “Sigma-Aldrich is dependent on a pipeline of well qualified STEM employees to help the Company grow and to achieve its goals.  One of our philanthropic goals is to increase educational focus on STEM career fields. Supporting a program like Aim High that benefits area students is a great investment in the community and potentially in the future of our Company.”

In 2012, 94% of Aim High students showed academic gains in two or more subjects (Math, Science, English and Social Studies). More than90% of Aim High participants go on to graduate from high school, compared with less than 60% of their local counterparts. More than 85% of Aim High graduates are enrolled in colleges or continuing education programs.

“I believe that going to Aim High is an opportunity for me to do even better in normal school,” said Darian, a current Aim High eighth grader.” I feel that I am getting a head start on the concepts that I will be presented with during my years of schooling. Aim High is special in the way that it provides just the right environment for learning. The teachers make learning even more interesting than in normal school.”

For more information about Aim High, visit www.aimhighstl.org

About Sigma-Aldrich:  Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technology company whose biochemical, organic chemical products, kits and services are used in scientific research, including genomic and proteomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical, diagnostics and high technology manufacturing. Sigma-Aldrich customers include more than 1.3 million scientists and technologists in life science companies, university and government institutions, hospitals and industry. The Company operates in 38 countries and has nearly 9,000 employees whose objective is to provide excellent service worldwide. Sigma-Aldrich is committed to accelerating customer success through innovation and leadership in Life Science and High Technology. For more information about Sigma-Aldrich, please visit its website at www.sigma-aldrich.com.

Sigma-Aldrich is a registered trademark of Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC.

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