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We have an active program of working with students and teachers in local
schools 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 regularly visit schools to help with projects and we also welcome
groups of students to the site.
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 runs each year in mid-March and for 12 years
Dow Corning has been involved by inviting primary school children from local
schools to visit the site for hands-on experiments.
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. Local politicians, our
community advisory panel members and even government regulators pitch in during
the week.
In 2009, children investigated a Dow Corning antifoam product. The children
made frothy samples using washing up liquid and tested the ingredients of the
antifoam product. One when the ingredients are mixed will it help reduce the
foaming. It was real chemistry in action. The activity tests the children’s
numeracy, literacy and reasoning skills as well as their co-ordination and
dexterity. In 2009 we were able to use a series of science kits supplied by a
local hands-on science center (Techniquest). These kits investigated the
properties of materials and helped augment our Science and Engineering Week
offering.
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| Youngsters are amazed by a colored foam demonstration as part of the 2009 activity |
Examples of our school link activities:
January 2009 to April 2009
We have run our annual Math Mentoring scheme in 2009. Linking with three
local secondary schools we have helped mentor and coach 30 local children in
the wonders of mathematics. The program runs for 10 weeks and is
supported by the local Council and an education-business links organization,
Careers Wales. Mentors talk, listen and through some application of math
theory, they can help the young students to become more confident in math.
We aim to show how math is used in everyday life and highlight the importance
of the subject. Visits to Dow Corning are arranged so that students can see
where their mentor works.
February 2009
Several employees helped give Year 11 students at a local secondary school
some interview experience. Our employee volunteers ran mock interviews to give
the students their first taste of being interviewed. Being prepared for an
interview at an early age can help ensure someone gets their first job or
secures a place in higher education institutions. Employees also helped
evaluate and give feedback on students’ curriculum vitae, application forms and
cover letters.
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. Since opening we have seen more than 1700 students through the doors
participating in one kind of activity or another. We regularly host nature days
for employees' children during school vacations. 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 .
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