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We’re Celebrating Indorama


This fall we’ve been celebrating the generosity of our community over and over again. Lately we’ve been celebrating because Indorama Ventures has funded exactly $20,000 for materials, tools, and equipment for the Middle School Engineering and Robotics courses.
Donna Cooper, Engineering and Robotics teacher at Cedar Ridge Middle School says, “STEM is the future of our children.” Cooper is privileged to make careers in technology accessible to her students. “Students participating in these courses explore a whole new world of thinking while developing hands-on skills for college and future careers,” Cooper says.
The new courses will be well-equipped with many of the latest developments in robotics education. Indorama has funded robot kits (with expansion kits and parts), tools, iPads, and a digital projector to use throughout the course. In addition, they have made it possible to purchase 3D printers (with supplies) and an interactive document camera to take robotics and engineering to the next level.
As a chemistry-based company with a growing presence in Decatur, Indorama has a vested interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) industry development in Decatur, and realizes the importance of exposure to scientific fields in school.
Indorama Site Manager Russ Wilson says, “Indorama and our team in Decatur are pleased to further our partnership with area schools.  This funding for STEM education is another opportunity to support our community and invest in our shared future.”
The local impact of this funding is impressive. Decatur’s three middle schools will all benefit from this funding, reaching over 500 students.
And who knows what those 500 students can do now! Cassandra Thrower teaches Robotics and Engineering at Brookhaven Middle School, and she is excited to see the research and projects her students come up with. “They are so creative,” Thrower says. “I may give them the tools, but they are the masterminds.”
Indorama’s generosity is a reminder that it’s not only about Decatur’s schools; it’s about Decatur’s community. Because Indorama is investing in the lives of children, one day these students will have a chance to give back to their community the skills they gained from specialized courses like this.
And that’s worth celebrating.


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