<<< Press Room Students to Speak with World Renowned Neurosurgeon Via Polycom Video Conferencing As part of Polycom’s Free Educational Content Program, and in honor of Black History Month, Dr. Ben Carson will share academic and life experiences with students nationally PLEASANTON, Calif. – Feb. 13, 2006 – Polycom®, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLCM), the world’s leading provider of unified collaborative communications solutions, today announced that Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D., director of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center, will be speaking with students across the United States via Polycom video conferencing solutions. Dr. Carson will discuss how he overcame the struggles of growing up in poverty to become one of the world’s most respected neurosurgeons. In honor of Black History Month, this special event program is scheduled for Feb. 13, and is part of the free educational content offered through Polycom’s Video Conference Program Database. “Growing up in a broken home in Detroit, I was faced with low self esteem and poor grades. With hard work and the love and guidance of my mother, I was able to overcome several life changing obstacles to get to where I am today,” Carson said. “The opportunity to share with students my story and the familiarity of a poverty-stricken youth will hopefully motivate them to work harder in school and give them the idea that there is a different path in their life.” Dr. Carson has gained world-wide recognition for leading or participating in the separation surgeries of five sets of conjoined twins, beginning in 1987 when he led a medical team that separated West German conjoined twin babies. In preparation for this video conference, students have read Dr. Carson’s book, Gifted Hands, reviewed a collection of his work and philosophy, studied the nervous system – with special focus on the brain, and developed questions for Dr. Carson based on their studies and reading. “The focus of this event is to provide quality educational content for inner-city students,” said Elaine Shuck, education market coordinator for Polycom. “Interactive video conferencing programs like these help expand the learning environment available to teachers and provide a blended learning approach for students.” The Dakota Digital Network will be streaming the program to other schools interested in participating in the live conference. For more information on this event and others like it, please visit Polycom’s Videoconference Program Database. Polycom’s Video Conference Program Database is a free searchable content database for educators. Polycom, in partnership with Berrien County (Michigan) Intermediate School District (BCISD), offers educators worldwide access to more than 1,500 content programs, making available both ISDN- and IP-based video conferencing programs for the classroom. Updated daily, the database contains content opportunities from such organizations as Global Nomads Group, the Museum of Television and Radio, Cleveland Institute of Music and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, to name a few. About Berrien County Intermediate School District (BCISD) Berrien County Intermediate School District is an educational service agency serving 29,000 students in Berrien County, Michigan. The schools we serve include 16 public school districts, 30 parochial schools, and three public school academies. Our mission is to provide programs and services to our constituent school districts which enhance learning opportunities for all students. About Polycom’s Video Conference Program Database Polycom’s Video Conference Program Database contains content from over 1,500 programs such as zoos and museums offering ISDN or IP based video conferencing. This easily searchable database was developed by BCISD and brings Polycom’s education customers value-add programs for the classroom. For more information and to access the program database please visit: Videoconference Program Database About Polycom Polycom, Inc. is the worldwide leader in unified collaborative communications (UCC) that maximize the efficiency and productivity of people and organizations by integrating the broadest array of video, voice, data and Web solutions to deliver the ultimate communications experience. Polycom’s high quality, standards-based conferencing and collaboration solutions are easy to deploy and manage, as well as intuitive to use. Supported by an open architecture, they integrate seamlessly with leading telephony and presence-based networks. With its market driving technologies, best-in-class products, alliance partnerships, and world-class service, Polycom is the smart choice for organizations seeking proven solutions and a competitive advantage in real-time communications and collaboration. For additional information call 1-800-POLYCOM (765-9266) or +1-408-526-9000, or visit the Polycom website at www.polycom.com. <<< Press Room