High School Students to Learn About Plastics at Penn College

"Injection molder," "extruder" and "blow molder" are not terms most people would recognize instantly, but a group of 120 high-school students will learn all about those pieces of equipment and others used in the plastics industry when they visit Pennsylvania College of Technology on May 17.

The Society of Plastics Engineers has provided a $2,500 Thermoplastics Materials and Foams Division 2002 Education Grant (with a matching amount to be provided by Penn College) for "Plastics Manufacturing Job-for-a-Day."

The high-school students and their teachers will spend the day learning about the plastics industry and operating manufacturing-size process equipment such as injection molders, extruders and blow molders. The grant also provides funds for transportation, meals and giveaways for the participants.

"We're very excited about this opportunity provided by the Thermoplastics Materials and Foams Division," said Dr. Kirk M. Cantor, associate professor of plastics technology and department head for plastics at Penn College. "It is not only an investment in the plastics industry, but in the lives of many young people as well."

Founded in 1942, the SPE is a network of plastics professionals around the world promoting education about plastics and polymers.

To find out more about the plastics programs at Penn College, call (570) 327-4520, or visiton the Web.