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We have an active program of working with students and teachers in schools
close to our site to help support science, math and technology. We also
work to encourage pupils to develop skills that they will need in their future
careers. Our employees are regularly involved in working with students either
here at the site or in the classroom.
National Science and Engineering Week at Dow Corning, Barry
National Science and Engineering Week aims to promote science subjects in
school children across the UK. It is run by the British Science Association.
The week runs each year in mid-March and for many years Dow Corning has been
involved by inviting primary school children from local schools to visit the
site for hands-on experiments. Experiments are linked to Dow Corning and our
products so the children get to handle real silicone materials and they can see
how science has an application to the wider world.
Dressed in aprons, gloves and safety glasses, the children are challenged to
imagine they are Dow Corning scientists working on a project to help one of our
customers. The children work through a worksheet on an experiment that is
designed to support the National Curriculum and demonstrate that science can be
relevant, interesting and fun. Experiments laid on at Dow Corning can often
give teachers some new ideas that they can use in their classrooms
Many Dow Corning employees help out during the week-long program giving up
their time to guide students through their tasks. Working on a one-to-two ratio
allows all children to be on-task regardless of ability.
In 2011, children investigated the properties of one of our silicone rubbers
to find its suitability for a molding application. The children enjoyed
kneading two rubber pieces together and after shaping into a test piece allowed
it to cure (set firm) in an oven.They then undertook a series of tests to work
out how flexible the material was after curing. Class results were compared and
discussed.
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| Studying silicones is all part of our Science Week activities |
Examples of our school link activities:
Math Mentoring
Our 2011 Math Mentoring scheme took a different form this year. Working
with a local secondary school, ten lucky students from Year 7 (11 and 12 year
olds) came to our education center for their math lessons. Led by our site
education officer, the children learned various aspects of math supporting
their understanding and the National Curriculum for Year 7 Math. Every
other week a new topic was covered. The intervening week allowed time for a
practical exercise focusing on the previous week's topic supported by Dow
Corning employees. The program was very successful with students and Dow
Corning volunteers enjoying the practical application of the math.
Other school activities
Throughout the year we are actively involved in other school activities,
often working closely with Careers Wales. Activities we support include:
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Interview experience - where our employees provide mock interviews for
students to gain experience in this area
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Work experience preparation - employees will often provide presentations to
young students heading out on work experience on what employers expect and what
the world of work is like.
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Work experience - Dow Corning Barry site will provide many placements for
young students (14 years old) to help them appreciate the different job roles
in an industrial company
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Industry Days - we will support activities at schools where the students
learn about big business and the expectations of large employers
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Business understanding - we have also worked with Sixth Form students
(16-18 years old) to explain what steps we are taking to be more sustainable in
our operations
Education Center
Our nature area and education center is being well used by school groups.
Wildlife and nature studies play an important role in the school curriculum and
an early age and local schools value having the nature reserve close to their
school. We regularly host nature days for employees' children during school
vacations too. Look out for community events at the education center
where we will put on events for local residents. These will be advertised
in our newsletters .Our education officer would be happy to discuss activities
at the center tailored to your needs.
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