PHILADELPHIA, October 17, 2012

Philadelphia public middle-school students and their teachers will be able to interact with scientists from FMC Corporation and explore learning and career opportunities in science and math thanks to a grant from the Philadelphia-based chemical company, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University announced today.

About 30 FMC scientists and chemical engineers will participate in two career days at the Academy that will serve about 1,200 public school 6th, 7th and 8th graders and their teachers. The goal of the event, funded by a $25,000 grant from FMC, is to showcase the many career opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The career days will be Monday, Nov. 5, and Thursday, Nov. 15.

Participants also will learn about different kinds of local after-school activities, including the Academy’s Women In Natural Sciences program for underserved high school girls. Teachers will learn about Academy resources that will help them integrate math and science into their regular curriculums. Academy scientists will be on hand to describe how they first got interested in science and how they have applied their schooling to their careers.

“By introducing middle-school teachers and students to the resources available to them in their own backyard, we’re able to have a significant impact on the quality of education for underserved students,” said Academy Senior Director of Education Jacquie Genovesi.

“Our FMC researchers and chemical engineers love inspiring students by discussing their careers and by teaching them about how our products work,” said Linda Froelich, FMC product stewardship and regulatory manager.

FMC Corporation is a diversified chemical company serving agricultural, industrial, environmental and consumer markets globally for more than a century with innovative solutions, applications and quality products. In 2011, FMC had annual sales of approximately $3.4 billion. The company employs approximately 5,500 people throughout the world, and operates its businesses in three segments: Agricultural Products, Specialty Chemicals and Industrial Chemicals. For more information, visit www.FMC.com.

Founded in 1812, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is America’s oldest natural history museum and a world leader in biodiversity and environmental research. For 200 years, the Academy has carried out its mission to encourage and cultivate the sciences, exploring the remarkable diversity of our natural world and sharing these discoveries with the public through innovative exhibits, publications, and educational programming.

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