Dow Corning Committed to China Youth’s Education with its hallmark “Fascinating Silicone in Life” Science Day Program

Songjiang, Shanghai – Dow Corning, a global leader in silicon-based technology and innovation, bolstered its commitment to community education and helping China’s youth to explore the power of science and technology education when it held its hallmark “Fascinating Silicone in Life” – 2012 Dow Corning Science Day in Songjiang today.

With support from the Songjiang Education Bureau, the two-day event held at the Songjiang Youth Center gave approximately 320 primary and middle school students – some of whom are children of migrant workers from Shanghai area – the opportunity to learn how innovation with silicones improves lives, promotes environmental protection and helps technological advances. Songjiang is the second stop of this year’s program in China which is expected to receive nearly 1,200 students in total.

“As a company committed to the development of China’s future generations and innovation of science and technology, Dow Corning is delighted to have the opportunity to inspire and educate China students about the power of silicone innovation through our unique hands-on experiments,” said Sven Eckert, Dow Corning’s Songjiang Site Manager. “We’re proud of our global dedication to responsible corporate citizenship. The Science Day program offers all of us at Dow Corning the chance to contribute to our local community and make science fun for our students.”

First launched in 2008, the Dow Corning Science Day Program and its unique silicone-related experiments have played a key role in nurturing the children’ s life-long interest in science as well as demonstrating to the students how silicones help improve people’s lives. Over the years the program has reached out to local communities to educate and encourage creativity in China youth’s science education.

Nearly 30 Dow Corning employees together with 20 students from Shanghai University of Engineering Science volunteered to assist with five experiments, “Silicone Refrigerator Magnet,” “Chill Cool Lotion”, “Solar Windmill,” “Silicone Printing Handkerchief,” and “Anti-foaming.” These experiments allowed the students to experience first-hand the magic of silicones and silicon-based technology and products, discovering the virtually unlimited possibilities of silicone innovation.

“At Dow Corning, volunteerism has always been part of our core values. Not only do we work hard, we also look for ways to help make a difference in the communities we reside,” added Eckert. “I applaud our Songjiang employee volunteers for their good will and contributions to the Songjiang community. By helping educate, motivate and guide these children, they’re helping the local community invest in its future. ”

“On the other hand, it’s my great pleasure to once-again witness the university students’ active engagement in community service, taking advantage of the Dow Corning Science Day program to improve their science knowledge, and contributing to the long-term partnership between Dow Corning and local communities,” said Eckert.

Another highlight of the Songjiang Science Day program is that students can experience the magic of self-adjustable eyeglasses. These are the world’s first universal fluid-filled adjustable eyeglasses invented by Prof. Josh Silver, Oxford University physicist, and sponsored by Dow Corning. Designed to help children to improve their ability to see the blackboard from which they are being taught, the self-adjustable eyeglasses showcased how Dow Corning’s silicon-based technologies can improve vision correction and the quality of life for children everywhere, particularly in the developing world.

Now in its fifth year, Science Day Program was also held in Zhangjiagang in October. The final program of the year is scheduled to be held in Dow Corning China Business and Technology Center in Pudong, Shanghai mid-December.

About Dow Corning
Dow Corning (dowcorning.com) provides performance-enhancing solutions to serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000 customers worldwide. A global leader in silicones, silicon-based technology and innovation, Dow Corning offers more than 7,000 products and services via the company’s Dow Corning® and XIAMETER® brands. Dow Corning is equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company and Corning, Incorporated. More than half of Dow Corning’s annual sales are outside the United States. Dow Corning’s global operations adhere to the American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care® initiative, a stringent set of standards designed to advance the safe and secure management of chemical products and processes.

About “Fascinating Silicone in Life” – Dow Corning Science Day Program
Initially launched in 2008 in Shanghai, “Fascinating Silicone in Life” – Dow Corning Science Day Program, is an important part of Dow Corning global CSR program. This program aims to inspire and educate young generations about the power of science and technology. In 2012, the program takes place in Zhangjiagang (Jiangsu), Songjiang (Shanghai) and Zhangjiang (Shanghai), and nearly 1,200 students are expected to attend the three events under the guidance of Dow Corning employee volunteers.