FMC Lab Tech Laura Briceno, a resident of Perth Amboy, speaks to a group of children about the worlds of STEM. *Photo Submitted

News Release 1/13/15

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Creepy, crawly and captivating: two-inch hissing cockroaches and turquoise worms were among the star attractions at a science career day given by scientists and other volunteers from FMC Corporation’s Innovation Center in Ewing and its corporate headquarters in Philadelphia.

Thirty FMC volunteers traveled to Drexel University’s Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia to share hands-on science activities with 1,200 sixth through eighth grade students over the course of two days. Petting bugs and exploring an interactive map were just two of the activities at FMC STEM Career Days, designed to help students think about future careers in science, technology, engineering and math.  The program was funded by a $25,000 grant from FMC.

“Our goal was to help young people make connections between their science courses and everyday life, meet real scientists, and get excited about the wide range of career options they might consider,” said Linda Froelich, Director of Global Sustainability.  “For example, one of our activities showed that careers in agriculture range from entomology to food processing to finance to veterinary, just to name a few.”

Research says that unless students become hooked on math and science by 8th grade they may never become interested.

“We can literally impact the future of technology by exciting students about opportunities in these fields,” said Froelich.

About FMC Corporation

FMC Corporation is a diversified chemical company serving agricultural, industrial and consumer markets globally for more than a century with innovative solutions, applications and quality products. In 2013, FMC had annual sales of approximately $3.9 billion. The company employs approximately 6,000 people throughout the world, and operates its businesses in three segments: FMC Agricultural Solutions, FMC Health and Nutrition, and FMC Minerals. For more information, visit www.FMC.com.