LSI Logic Storage Systems, Inc., a technology leader in high performance, highly scalable storage for the open enterprise, today announced that it is a major sponsor of the 2004 Kansas Science Olympiad Tournament. The company is contributing $12,000 to help underwrite the event, which will be held on April 3, 2004 at Wichita State University. The Science Olympiad tournaments are rigorous academic interscholastic competitions that consist of a series of individual and team events, which students prepare for during the year. The competitions follow the format of popular board games, TV shows and athletic games. These events are well balanced between the various science disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, computers and technology. At the tournament approximately 1,000 middle and high school students from Kansas will demonstrate their knowledge, ability and skills in all areas of science. Winners of individual events win athletic-style medals, with winning teams earning trophies and two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded. At the national level, there are generous scholarships awarded to winning Olympiad teams. "Corporate America needs to invest in its young people and their science education. Here at LSI Logic Storage Systems, we feel it is our responsibility as part of the high technology industry to ensure that our next generation of workers are science literate and technologically savvy," said Ron Engelbrecht, vice president and general manager of Wichita operations, LSI Logic Storage Systems. "If we do not invest in the future of American children, our quality of life and our country's achievements will suffer. The Kansas Science Olympiad is an event that highlights the importance of technical knowledge and we are proud to be a major sponsor." An understanding and competence in science strengthens the capability of students to hold meaningful and productive jobs in the future. The business community needs entry-level workers with the ability to learn, reason, think creatively, make decisions, and solve problems. The Science Olympiad is an international nonprofit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. These goals are accomplished through classroom activities, research, training workshops and the encouragement of intramural, district, regional, state and national tournaments. For more information, visit www.soinc.org.