Education Committee
The objective of SPE is the promotion of scientific and engineering knowledge relating to plastics. SPE Sections are responsible for conveying that knowledge on a local level. Over the past eleven years, the Mid-Michigan Section of SPE has developed exciting education outreach programs targeted to elementary through high school age children in the Mid-Michigan area. The objectives of these programs are to simulate an interest in science in technology, to create an interest in polymers, plastics and chemistry, and to project a positive image of plastics and the plastics industry. A summary of these programs and results over the past eleven years follows:
- The PlastiVan Education Program. The PlastiVan is a national education outreach program conducted by the National Plastics Center and Museum (Leominster, MA) that is geared to students in grades 3-12. It travels throughout the U.S. and Canada teaching students, teachers and the general public about the chemistry, history, processing and environmental issues of plastics. During the past eleven school years, Mid-Michigan SPE has sponsored PlastiVan demonstrations in the area for a total of 41 weeks and reached over 33,000 students. The cost of this program is approximately $25,000 per year.
- Classroom Demonstrations. In cooperation with the Mid-Michigan Section of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), volunteers from the Section membership visited area middle school classrooms to do hands-on experiments relating to science, engineering and plastics with the students. Pairs of volunteers spend a day in the classroom with their assigned teachers. The Section provides presentation materials, such as videos and slides and any supplies or equipment, and contact information for area teachers interested in a demonstration. During the past eleven school years, local SPE and AIChE volunteers conducted hands-on demonstrations in over 350 classrooms and reached over 8,600 students. This program costs approximately $500 per year.
- SPE International Essay Contest. This annual essay contest allows middle and high school students the opportunity to win up to $1,500 by submitting an essay on the topic of plastics. Cash awards were given for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners, of $500, $250 and $100, respectively. Each of the winners was also presented with a framed certificate. The 1st place essay was entered in the International contest, where the wining essay receives an additional $1,000. Over the past eleven years, the Section has received 361 entries for the essay contest. The local winner also won the International Essay Contest in 2001. This program costs approximately $1,000 per year.
These programs are having a positive impact on the local communities. These programs would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors: The Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow Foundation, The Dow Chemical Company, The Dow Corning Corporation, The Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation, and the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation.
Contact the education committee chairperson below for more information or to discuss ways for you or your company to get involved in these programs.
Mr. Todd A. Hogan
Education Committee Chairperson
Mid Michigan Section-Society of Plastics Engineers
The Dow Chemical Company
354 Building
Midland, MI 48667
(989) 636-5303 FAX: (989) 638-9510
tahogan@dow.com
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