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March 01, 2016 01:00 AM

Plastivan revs up Massachusetts students about plastics

Don Loepp
Editor
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    Universal Plastics Corp.
    Students from Dean Technical High School learn about plastics from the Plastivan on Feb. 29.

    Students from Dean Technical High School in Holyoke, Mass., learned about plastics and thermoforming thanks to a Feb. 29 visit from the SPE Plastivan.

    Universal Plastics Corp., a Holyoke-based custom thermoformer, sponsored the event along with the Western New England Section of the Society of Plastics Engineers.

    “Many students today still think of manufacturing as dark and dirty factories and not high tech environments offering excellent jobs and wages,” said Joe Peters, CEO of Universal Plastics.

    The Plastivan program is in its 19th year of trying to change young people's — and educators' — attitudes about plastics.

    Feedback from the school to the visit was positive.

    Marcus Holt, a teacher at Dean Tech, wrote: “I want to express my appreciation for the great presentation, and the huge energy you brought to my classes. In a challenging environment you really pushed through to expose the students to an interesting high need industry. They all really loved the hands on experiments, and will be on me to bring more of those fun experiences to the class regularly.”

    Dustin Rose Joyner, head of the math & science department, added: “I can assure you that quite a few [students] left your presentation with a better understanding of the plastics industry as well as peaked curiosities as to how it can be applied. We truly appreciate Universal Plastics for allowing this to happen and look forward to, what we hope, will lead to more students understanding and considering the chemical engineering industry and others like it."

    "Again, thank you for your time and efforts, the students truly appreciated it,” he said.

    The Plastivan program introduces students to plastics chemistry, history, manufacturing, sustainability and applications. Students participate in hands-on scientific activities as they learn about the advantages of plastics, environmental benefits, and careers in engineering.

    Universal Plastics

    The Plastivan program introduces students to plastics chemistry, history, manufacturing, sustainability and applications. Students participate in hands-on scientific activities as they learn about the advantages of plastics, environmental benefits, and careers in engineering.

    Peters, from Universal Plastics, has been a proponent of workforce development in Western Massachusetts.

    “We hope that students attending the session depart with a clearer understanding of how plastic products impact their lives on a daily basis and more importantly be more aware of the many opportunities in engineering and plastics technology today,” Peters said.

    Universal Plastics was founded by James R. Peters in November 1965, and recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. The company serves customers in a variety of industries including aerospace, medical device manufacturers, transportation, consumer products, food packaging and electronic companies. Its products have included kayaks, air ducts for the Space Shuttle, all of the bus stop signs currently used in New York City and the bow of the submarines used by the U.S. Navy Seals.

    Jay Kumar bought the company in 2012. He also owns Mayfield Plastics, a thermoformer in Sutton, Mass.

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