In June of 2018, associates of CMA working at Tacoma headquarters and plant in the state of Washington volunteered to visit a local middle school, Elk Plain School of Choice, to teach an experimental science class to seventh and eighth grade students. Over the course of two days, associates presented to five classes, totaling about 110 students.
Each class had a volunteer begin the presentation with a quick introduction of CMA and the other volunteers assisting during the classes. The presentation focused on environmental issues such as water shortages and possible solutions to these issues; a topic that the students had focused on throughout their time at the school. One solution to the water shortages presented to the students was a product made by Toray Industries, Inc. called the ultrafiltration (UF) membrane, as well as facilities that are used to process water for consumption. Students gathered into small groups as volunteers demonstrated the process using a UF membrane by filtering clear sugar water from orange juice.
Afterwards, the lesson moved on to global warming and introduced the students to carbon fiber and prepreg. Students were shown the process to make carbon fiber and prepreg, and the environmental benefits from it, such as reducing the amount of CO2 being released into the atmosphere. Concluding the lesson, students were able to see and discuss finished products made with carbon fiber and future career opportunities.
CMA is proud to discuss science and innovation with the local community, and looks forward to visiting more schools in the future.
