MilliporeSigma Launches Global Science Education Program to Inspire Future Scientists

• SPARK aims to inspire students to explore careers in life science and related fields

Billerica, Massachusetts, March 7, 2016 – The life science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada, today announced the launch of SPARK, a global skills-based volunteer program that provides community service opportunities for its network of 19,000 employees, with a focus on science and education.

“MilliporeSigma recognizes the importance of introducing students early on to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to spark their curiosity and inspire a lifelong passion,” said Udit Batra, CEO of MilliporeSigma. “We are committed to inspiring young people to explore science-related careers and ultimately tackle the toughest problems of tomorrow.”

Students introduced to science by age 14 or younger are more likely to pursue careers in relevant fields. Nearly four in five students pursuing careers in STEM fields said that they decided to do so in high school or earlier, according to a recent Harris interactive study.

Through SPARK, MilliporeSigma volunteers will work with schools around the world such as Bermuda Elementary School in the Ferguson-Florissant School District in Missouri. MilliporeSigma will launch its Curiosity Labs program, an inquiry-based, hands-on science curriculum enabling students to engage in experiments used in real-world applications such as DNA extraction. The company has a long tradition of supporting various cultural and educational programs around the world and fostering an interest in science.