GRITS (Girls Raised In Tennessee Science) Collaborative Project E-Newsletter

Eastman Chemical Company has been very involved in the community in linking industry and education programs in Northeast Tennessee via the Putting Children 1st program. In 2008 Eastman announced the GEM4STEM (Growing Educational Mentors for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program. Eastman's employees and retirees serve as mentors for students through numerous educational activities including tutoring, counseling, substitute teaching, classroom presentations, laboratory demos, academic competitions and more.

Featured below are the experiences and activites created by some of the women chemist and mentors from Eastman Chemical Company in Kingport, Tennessee.

You can visit the Eastman Web site by clicking the link to the left under "Quick Links."

Mary Moore

Senior Technologist

I have had several opportunities to interact and encourage young ladies to become more involved in the science, technology, engineering, and math careers. While volunteering for National Chemistry Week for 13 years I am always fascinated by the excitement of the students. The fourth graders that attend this event are very eager to learn. The teachers and students get to see demos and interact with several different career professionals.

I attended my first Expanding Your Horizon workshop and presented to middle and high school females on what I like doing every day. This one day conference was held in Middle Tennessee State University and is designed to nurture girls' interest in the science and math courses to encourage them to consider careers in STEM. These girls were interested in the varied fields within the STEM careers and were amazed at the many job opportunities.

Shawn Dougherty

Group Leader for the Chemistry Research Laboratory

I have had the privilege to participate in two main areas. I have led a volunteer-intensive event called "Fourth Grader's Celebration of Chemistry" where the local American Chemical Society and local industry gets together to bring in >1300 4th graders for a day of science education. The STEM program helps us solicit managerial and financial support for this impactful event. Over 200 volunteers are needed for its coordination. Over 30,000 students in Northeast Tennessee have had the opportunity to learn about careers that require STEM education, and how folks who choose these careers help our communities thrive.

On an individual basis I have had a chance to develop and implement a K - 5th grade chemical demonstration program that is delivered in three school visits each year. The classroom focuses on one age-appropriate topic per year. Their learning is reinforced by three sequential classroom demonstrations reinforcing a single topic. The STEM program at Eastman gives me the flexibility and support to make this classroom event doable, particularly in light of the fact that classroom demonstration naturally overlaps with normal work hours.

Paula Cahill

Development Associate in the Analytical Development Division

I have participated in the National Chemistry Week - 4th graders event for the past 12 years. Several times I have done demonstrations for the students. Recently I have been on the school committee that selects the schools and meets the buses when they arrive. The students learn about chemistry and see what possibilities there are for future careers in science.

I coordinated the American Chemical Society (ACS) High school teacher internships program for the past couple of years. The goal is for area high school chemistry teachers to work in labs at Eastman during the summer. They learn more about possible career paths and current lab technology which they can go back and share with their students. In addition, the partnerships with the high schools can lead to Eastman scientists helping with lesson plans and lab experiments. Also, surplus lab equipment can be donated to schools so that students can get more hands on experience.

Renee E Niziurski-Mann

Growth Project Manger in the Strategic Growth Project Business Unit

During my 16 years at Eastman Chemical Company, I have participated in programs that are aimed at getting students interested in chemistry and science. These programs include the NETS-ACS annual "Celebration of Chemistry Event for Fourth Graders" during National Chemistry Week (NCW) and provide chemical demonstrations in classrooms for elementary age students. During the two-day NCW event, I coordinate the activities of volunteers who escort approximately 1350 students to demonstrations and exhibits. Although the NCW program is aimed at fourth graders, we annually invite two high school chemistry classes to participate in the program; these students provide demonstrations and act as escorts for the students. The high school students find the program to be just as exciting and educational as the fourth graders.

In the classroom, I usually try to prepare demonstrations relevant to topics the students have studied. Having visual and dynamic examples of basic concepts helps the students to remember the lessons better and it helps them to develop critical thinking by asking more "What if" questions. For the girls in the classrooms, I am able to provide a positive role model for careers in science hat they may wish to pursue. The most fun that I have in doing chemical demonstrations is when I make a visit to my own children's classrooms. My children are proud because they get to show their friends that their mom has an exciting and interesting career.

Stephanie Clendennen

Technical Service Associate in the Service, Food, and Cosmetic Organization Division

On December 2, a group of 6th grade girls from southwest Virginia schools got to experience what it is like to be a cosmetic chemist. A presentation and related series of hands-on demonstrations revealed the secrets behind some of their favorite products: we separated the pigments in different lipstick colors using chromatography; we made our own hand lotion from oil and water to demonstrate how emulsifiers work; and we made soap by neutralizing an acid with a base. The girls were able to see, smell and touch some of the common ingredients in cosmetics, like beeswax and stearyl alcohol. They asked a lot of questions about the ingredients and the experiments, including how they could perform them again at home.

This was the debut performance of the Cosmetic Science workshop for the Females Advancing STEM program. Amanda Beckler, Christy Burke and Vivian Thacker from Eastman were part of the team that organized and performed the demonstrations. They brought their own backgrounds and careers as part of the overall context. It was energizing to be a member of an enthusiastic team of volunteers, and it made the day even more fun for all involved. The program is aimed at encouraging young women to pursue coursework, and eventually, careers, in science technology, engineering and math.

Eastman Chemical Company continues to participate in education initiatives and encourages young ladies and gentlemen to get involved in the STEM career fields and to educate the community on the importance of STEM. Chemistry is fun and we like to share this with the STEM career professionals of the future.