Empowering Future Innovators: Arclin Amines Teams Up with Explore Program to Enhance STEM Education at East Bank Middle School

EAST BANK, WV – Arclin Amines, together with Explore: The New Manufacturing, recently organized a fun and engaging STEM Academy for 8th graders at East Bank Middle School. This hands-on event took place on January 28th and aimed to spark interest in STEM fields by showing students how these concepts apply to real-world manufacturing careers.

Monica Cross, the Executive Director of the Explore Program, emphasized the importance of these activities. “We partner with local manufacturers each year to teach students about the industry through interactive learning,” she said. “It’s vital for companies like Arclin to show students what goes on inside the facilities they see in their community and encourage them to consider careers in manufacturing. Many products we use daily come from West Virginia, showcasing the state’s strong manufacturing sector. Our goal is to inspire young minds to think about their future in this field.”

Being a local manufacturer just a short distance from the school, Arclin Amines understands the need to connect with students early on. Employees like Heather Henson, a Senior Chemist, and Mechanical Engineers Jacob Eplin and Zach Carper led various interactive demos, diving into the fascinating world of chemical manufacturing. The students learned about a wide range of manufacturing processes in West Virginia, from concrete to aerospace technology, highlighting how these industries help drive the state’s economy.

One of the highlights of the STEM Academy was a thrilling competition where students formed teams to build the tallest paper tower that could hold a can of food. This challenge, guided by Explore: The New Manufacturing, encouraged students to use problem-solving skills common in manufacturing, like teamwork and structural design.

The East Bank students did remarkably well, creating some of the tallest towers in the program’s history. The winning team constructed a tower that reached an impressive thirty-four inches tall, while the second-place team was just two centimeters shorter.

“This tower challenge is a fantastic way for students to apply what they’ve learned about manufacturing processes,” Cross explained. “It’s amazing to hear their discussions and see how they collaborate to create successful designs.”

Arclin Amines’ involvement with Explore: The New Manufacturing showcases their dedication to developing a skilled workforce in West Virginia. Through engaging activities like the STEM Academy, they are helping to inspire the next generation to explore rewarding careers in manufacturing and science.