Bayer and HearthSong Launch STEM Toy Drive - Now Through Dec. 11

More than 90 percent of Americans believe that toys promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) provide great educational value, yet only 29 percent say they will donate a STEM toy this holiday season, according to results of the 2017 Bayer STEM Toys Holiday Survey released today.

To close this gap and ensure that science is accessible to all children, Bayer is partnering with HearthSong, a leading online toy retailer, to launch a STEM toy drive throughout the United States. Now through December 11, 2017, when consumers purchase a STEM toy at HearthSong.com, Bayer will donate the full merchandise value of that toy to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, up to $250,000. Toys for Tots will use the dollars to purchase STEM toys from HearthSong at a discount for girls and boys of all ages.

"Science and innovation are at the heart of who we are," said Sarah Toulouse, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Executive Director, Bayer USA Foundation. "We understand the integral role science plays in everyday life, and we are committed to advancing science literacy and promoting STEM education nationwide. This partnership is one expression of that commitment, and we are proud to provide access to the wonder and curiosity that STEM toys inspire."

Beverly Fries, Vice President of Merchandising at HearthSong, said her organization believes that every child should have the chance to discover the world through play.

"We are delighted to partner with Bayer to provide fun-filled STEM toys this holiday to children who otherwise may not reap the recognized benefits of exposure to STEM activities," Fries said. "HearthSong's toys are designed to nurture curiosity and develop creativity, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills."

Additional findings from the 2017 Bayer STEM Toys Holiday Survey indicate that cost and gender influence purchase decisions when it comes to STEM toys:

• Nearly one-in-three Americans (30 percent) cite cost as a barrier to purchasing STEM gifts for a seasonal toy drive.
• While nine-in-10 (90 percent) Americans believe STEM toys are packaged in such a way that they look appropriate for both boys and girls, consumers are nearly 20 percent more likely to buy STEM toys for boys than girls this holiday season (34 percent vs. 29 percent).
• Women are nearly 25 percent more likely to buy STEM toys for boys than girls (37 percent for boys vs. 30 percent for girls).

"Children are naturally curious about science and the world around them," said Dr. Mae C. Jemison, astronaut, medical doctor, chemical engineer and Bayer's longtime Making Science Make Sense® Ambassador. "The earlier children are introduced to foundational STEM skills, the more successful they are in all areas of learning. Exposing boys and girls of all backgrounds to STEM through play is a great way to open up a whole new world of possibilities."

"We are very pleased to welcome Bayer as a national corporate sponsor of the 2017 Marine Toys for Tots Campaign," said retired Marine Colonel Ted Silvester, Vice President of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. "Their community service goals certainly align with those the Marine Corps has promoted for nearly 70 years through our Toys for Tots Program." Silvester concluded, "With their generous support we will be able to fulfill the Christmas holiday dreams of thousands of less fortunate children, who otherwise might be forgotten."

To participate in the Bayer/HearthSong 2017 holiday campaign benefitting Toys for Tots, consumers can visit HearthSong.com.

The 2017 Bayer STEM Toys Holiday Survey is part of the Bayer Facts of Science Education survey series and presents the findings of an online survey conducted October 25-26, 2017, by Toluna. The survey was conducted among a demographically representative sample of 1,063 American adults ages 18 and older. The margin of error for a sample of this size is ±3% at the 95% level of confidence.