PPG mentors join WQED student engineering program

Published : 31-Mar-2021

Guided by PPG employee mentors, students in the WQED Design Lives Here initiative, a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-based program, took to the sky.

Meeting virtually, students across the Pittsburgh, Pa. area tested aeronautic concepts by constructing a paper airplane launcher with cardboard, rubber bands, paper clips and tape, then observed the length each airplane could fly. PPG volunteers working in science and technology fields joined the students to provide guidance and share their industry experience.

The semester-long design and invention program culminated in a competition day when the students, from more than a dozen local schools and library programs, participated in the virtual event. They also joined career panels featuring PPG employees.

Caitlyn Mahaffey, engineer, and Marc Williams, chemist, are PPG employees and career panel participants who shared their personal STEM inspirations and career paths.

“After participating in science fairs, I was inspired at a young age to pursue a career in chemistry and physics,” said Williams. “After the career panel, I hope the students gathered the vast possibilities that are available through STEM education and careers.”

These images were captured during the 2020 event prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

He continued, “From paint formulation to COVID-19 vaccine research, understanding the significant role of chemistry concepts in our lives is important to understanding many elements of everyday life and making the world a better place.”

Mahaffey, also inspired by science fairs in her early education, now works in optical physics at PPG. “I aimed to demonstrate the wide variety of possibilities available through a STEM degree. From coatings engineering to management to product marketing, a STEM education equips students to take on many different and rewarding career paths that many not always be apparent.”  

Design Lives Here is an educational program that encourages kids to learn more about and consider the value of a profession in engineering. Funded by a PPG Foundation grant, the program provided at-home STEM educational kits, project materials for in-school learning, teacher and mentor training and the virtual event.

To learn more about the PPG Foundation and its commitment to education, visit www.ppg.com/about-ppg/en-US