KENNEWICK, Wash. (AP) - A $750,000 gift from Ohio-based Battelle will benefit science education for students in Washington state.

Most of the money will go toward expanding the state's Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform program over the next three years.

The program is a partnership of private and public entities that
works to improve science and math education in public schools.

Battelle, based in Columbus, Ohio, manages the US Energy
Department's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, and
is a partner in the LASER program.

The contribution includes about $100,000 to support the Battelle Science Materials Resource Center in Kennewick.

The remaining money will be divided equally between the Pacific
Science Center in Seattle and for introducing the science education
model into high schools elsewhere across the state.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)