The Society of Plastics Engineers' PlastiVan introduced more than 270 Rhode Island and Connecticut high school students to the advantages of plastics during a three-day educational stint sponsored by Davis-Standard LLC.
The program at high schools in Westerly, R.I., and Stonington, Conn., offered students information about plastics' chemistry, history, manufacturing, sustainability and applications. They were able to do hands-on activities to learn about plastic benefits vs. other materials, as well as environmental benefits, and opportunities in engineering.
“Students realize that every product has an engineer behind it, and most of these products start in an extruder. Since both of the 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,” said Marjorie Weiner, academic outreach for the PlastiVan Program, in a statement.
The PlastiVan program is in its 19th year and it is used to educate students of all ages throughout North America. It is run by Bethel, Conn.-based Society of Plastics Engineers. The high school program includes information on how plastics is processed and manufactured, design polymers, applications using super absorbing polymers, cross linking of polymers and how history has impacted engineering.
Davis-Standard is headquartered in Pawcatuck, R.I. and has 850 employees worldwide. It designs, develops and distributes extrusion and converting technology.