Kettering University's Environmental Chemistry program recently won a five-year $50,000 grant from the Arthur G. Bishop Charitable Trust to help expand Kettering's Chemistry in the Community program.

This significant contribution will aid Kettering in doubling the number of area students who receive educational opportunities through the University's Chemistry in the Community initiatives, which include Kamp Kettering, 21st Century Woman and Chem Connection. In total, these programs currently reach more than 1,000 Genesee County area youth.

"We are extremely happy that the Bishop foundation supports our efforts and we look forward to hosting hands-on workshops to educate local students and teachers in applied chemistry," said Dr. Stacy Seeley, assistant professor of Chemistry. "Our workshops have been received with great enthusiasm by students and teachers. We look forward to expanding our activities."

A primary goal of the program is to engage a greater number of elementary and middle school teachers in using Kettering's state-of-the-art laboratories to bring science to life in their classrooms. In addition, Kettering hopes to inspire young students to pursue science studies.

Kettering faculty and laboratory technicians will conduct the Chemistry in the Community program using safe "green" materials, which include a number of common household items.

For more information on Kettering's Chemistry in the Community program, contact the Science and Mathematics Department at (810) 762-7912, or visit the Kettering web site at www.kettering.edu.