A Successful Formula: Arkema + Science Teachers = Student Excitement

Arkema employees worked together with Sharpe Elementary School teachers to  draw topographical maps from a stream table.  (Left-to-right, Jeremy Rowe,  Chris Farley, Shannon Hamlet, and Kendra Glenn.)
Arkema employees worked together with Sharpe Elementary School teachers to draw topographical maps from a stream table. (Left-to-right, Jeremy Rowe, Chris Farley, Shannon Hamlet, and Kendra Glenn.)

Six local elementary teachers have gotten new ideas for creating chemistry between kids and hands-on science, thanks to Arkema Inc.’s Science Teacher Program at the Arkema-Calvert City plant site. The program, which the Calvert City site has hosted for 17 years, partners Arkema scientists with elementary-school teachers to learn innovative ways to teach basic science concepts. Arkema also equipped the teachers with inquiry-based, hands-on science kits to use in their classrooms.

This week (June 23-25), Arkema hosted the following teachers: Kendra Glenn and Shannon Hamlet – Sharpe Elementary, Chris Lacey and Brandy Roberts – Heath Middle, and Sarah Free and Katie Evens – Morgan Elementary. The science kits explore everything from motion and design, to energy and electromagnetism, to how the earth changes over time. Teachers choose the topics they wish to focus on during the program based on their school’s needs in meeting the required core curriculum.

The real measure of the program’s success is when teachers bring their newfound materials back to school in August. “These teachers are passionate advocates of hands-on science, but they need resources to get those materials into the hands of their students,” said Jeff Hall, plant manager of Arkema’s Calvert City plant. “This program lets us support exciting science instruction in the classrooms of our community. Since 1999, we’ve assisted 105 local teachers and over 8000 elementary school students.”

Arkema’s Science Teacher Program nurtures a relationship between participating teachers and Arkema scientists that lasts well beyond the summer session. The collaborative environment gives teachers a better understanding of how science is applied and the role of science in industry. At the same time, Arkema’s scientists gain a renewed respect for and understanding of the teachers’ role in educating the scientists of the future.

The experiment kits used in Arkema’s Science Teacher Program meet National Science Education Standards and contain enough hands-on material for a class of 30 students, as well as eight weeks of curriculum. Arkema donates $500 to participating teachers to replenish kit materials, as well as a $500 donation to the school.

About Arkema
A global chemical company and France’s leading chemicals producer, Arkema is building the future of the chemical industry every day. Deploying a responsible, innovation-based approach, we produce state-of-the-art specialty chemicals that provide customers with practical solutions to such challenges as climate change, access to drinking water, the future of energy, fossil fuel preservation and the need for lighter materials. With operations in close to 50 countries, some 19,000 employees and research centers in North America, France and Asia, Arkema generates pro forma annual revenue of about €7.6 billion ($9.5 billion) and holds leadership positions in all its markets with a portfolio of internationally recognized brands.