October 25, 2005

Carnegie Museum of Natural History to open
Fisher Scientific Biotechnology Lab
Programming available to the general public and middle school children

Pittsburgh …Carnegie Museum of Natural History has announced the opening of the Fisher Scientific Biotechnology Lab beginning on Saturday, October 29. The Fisher Biotechnology Lab can be reserved by school groups, teachers, and will be open to the general public on Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. The Saturday public sessions will begin on the half-hour and are free with museum admission.

The Fisher Scientific Biotechnology Lab is made possible by a generous donation of equipment and supplies by Fisher Scientific, a company founded in Pittsburgh over 100 years ago. The lab is located in the classroom area of the museum and will provide middle school students with a hands-on biotechnology lab experience. The curriculum has been developed by Ellen Wright, a science teacher at Perry Traditional Academy and a finalist for the 2005 National Biotechnology Teacher of the Year Award. The Grable Foundation has provided the funding for the curriculum.

"This is another exciting addition to Carnegie Museum of Natural History," said Dr. Bill DeWalt, Director of Carnegie Museum of Natural History, in announcing the Fisher Biotechnology Lab. "The biotech industry is expected to be a vital part of region's economy. Our hope is the Fisher Scientific Biotechnology Lab will engage and motivate students to consider a career in the biotechnology industry. We also hope to expand the curriculum for students from the first grade up and the hours and days the lab is available to the public."

"Fisher Scientific is proud and excited to be part of the Carnegie Museum's laboratory initiatives," said Ed Pesicka, General Manager, Fisher Scientific Research. "Our goal in partnering with the Museum is to help educate young people and foster scientific discovery in the Pittsburgh region. Since its 1902 founding in Pittsburgh, Fisher Scientific has remained committed to serving science and our local community."

The curriculum is currently developed for middle school students grades 6 through 8 and is based on National Science Education Standards. As part of their experience, students will learn some of the fundamentals of genetics, molecular biology, and microbiology. While learning about these topics, students will get the chance to apply techniques of biotechnology in the laboratory through a series of hands-on experiments. Students will work as a team, using sophisticated equipment to extract DNA from several organisms and then identifying what they are based on the DNA.

"Biotechnology is a 21st century science," Wright said. "We hope that by having students conduct fun and engaging biotechnology experiments, we can capture their interest and encourage them to study and pursue a career in science." Workshops will also be held for teacher training and career development. These workshops will provide professional training for biology teachers in biotech science. The first one is scheduled for December 5.

Saturday programs for children and their families will also take place in the Fisher Scientific Biotechnology Lab. These engaging activities will introduce museum visitors to the basics of DNA and help them make connections between biotechnology and natural history. In the Saturday programs, families can participate in hands-on activities that demonstrate techniques in biotechnology that scientists use. The activities are based around themes that families encounter throughout the museum, such as biodiversity or anthropology, and show how biotechnology is applied in these fields.

The Saturday programs are being developed by Lauren Giarratani, a research specialist at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Learning in Out of Scholl Environments (UPCLOSE). UPCLOSE is an education research group that studies informal learning. Giarratani has an M.S. in Biological Sciences from Rockefeller University and was engaged in research using biotechnology for five years prior to her work at UPCLOSE.

"We've seen how popular the Bog Science Investigation Area of The Mysterious Bog People has been," said Dr. DeWalt. "The programming has been set up to be very similar. It is hands-on and interactive, so that both adults and children can work together or independently. It is engaging and fun while at the same time educational."

Fisher Scientific's commitment includes the in-kind donations of equipment and supplies to outfit not only the Fisher Scientific Biotechnology Lab but also the Fisher Scientific Molecular Lab. The Fisher Molecular Lab is being used extensively by Carnegie Museum of Natural History's scientists, researchers and students from regional universities, and as a training center for Fisher Scientific staff. Fisher Scientific will continue to provide new equipment to update the labs, replenish supplies, and assist with maintenance and curriculum development.

Carnegie Museum of Natural History can be enjoyed Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm, Sundays from noon to 5 pm. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for senior citizens, $6 for children ages 3-18 and full-time students with ID, and free to children under age 3 and Carnegie members. Convenient visitor parking is available in the museum's six-level garage at Forbes Avenue and S. Craig Street. For more information, please call (412) 622-3131 or visit www.carnegiemnh.org.

Fisher Scientific: A World Leader in Serving Science
Fisher Scientific International Inc. (NYSE: FSH) is a leading provider of products and services to the scientific community. Fisher facilitates discovery by supplying researchers and clinicians in labs around the world with the tools they need. We serve pharmaceutical and biotech companies; colleges and universities; medical-research institutions; hospitals; reference, quality-control, process-control and R&D labs in various industries; as well as government agencies. From biochemicals, cell-culture media and proprietary RNAi technology to rapid-diagnostic tests, safety products and other consumable supplies, Fisher provides more than 600,000 products and services. This broad offering, combined with Fisher's globally integrated supply chain and unmatched sales and marketing presence, helps make our 350,000 customers more efficient and effective at what they do.

Founded in 1902, Fisher Scientific is a FORTUNE 500 company and is a component of the S&P 500 Index. Fisher has approximately 17,500 employees worldwide, and our annual revenues are expected to exceed $5.5 billion in 2005. Fisher Scientific is a company committed to high standards and delivering on our promises - to customers, shareholders and employees alike. Additional information about Fisher is available on the company's Web site at www.fisherscientific.com.

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