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US high school students had the chance to learn about plastics after a visit from the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) and their PlastiVan Outreach Education Program.
More that 270 students from Stonington and Westerly High Schools participated in activities to help them better understand plastics.
Sponsored by Davis-Standard, the event taught students about how plastics are manufactured, designer polymers and how history has affected the engineering industry.
Marjorie Weiner, Academic Outreach for the PlastiVan Program, said: “Students in this programme leave with a better understanding of how plastic products impact their lives on a daily basis and the many opportunities in engineering and plastics technology.”
“Students realise that every product has an engineer behind it and most of these products start in an extruder. Since both of these schools are so close to one of the largest extruder manufacturers in the world, Davis-Standard, it ties in nicely with future careers available to them close to home.”
The scheme is in its 19th year and Davis-Standard is a fan of the programme and agrees there are job opportunities on the horizon.
Jim Murphy, Davis-Standard President and CEO, said: “The PlastiVan does an amazing job of showcasing the versatility and value of plastics and potential careers in the industry.
“The majority of our workforce is from the local area, so we want to make sure students realise the many opportunities available to them.”