Lindenwold Resident Ignites Kids’ Interest in Insects

FMC’s interactive bug exhibit at the Philadelphia Science Festival Carnival on the Parkway taught students about the science of everyday life

Students of all ages got up-close with some of our creepiest and crawliest inhabitants. Lindenwold resident Ken Johnson, Agricultural Products Insecticide Entomologist at FMC, had kids amazed by a fascinating display of butterflies, caterpillars, cockroaches and other bugs.  It was one of several interactive exhibits at the recent Philadelphia Science Festival Carnival on the Parkway. The goal: show kids how science is a part of our everyday lives and encourage them to pursue rewarding careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). FMC was a major sponsor of the Philadelphia Science Festival.

Johnson and FMC scientists allowed children to hold a few of the special guests while teaching them about the different types of bugs and insects. Students also learned about FMC’s efforts to help farmers safely and efficiently sustain the food chain and control pests.

“It’s important to not only tell, but also show students how science is part of their lives,” says Barbara Del Duke, FMC’s director of public affairs and community relations. “The simplest of experiments can spark an incredible interest, which will put students on a path to their future.”

In addition to the interactive exhibits at the Philadelphia Science Festival’s Carnival on the Parkway, FMC sponsored free professional development workshops for teachers, provided classroom resources, and hosted a Teacher’s Resource Center during the Carnival.

“We’ve partnered with The Franklin Institute, the Philadelphia Education Fund’s Math + Science Coalition, and the Philadelphia Science Festival to equip teachers with the knowledge and resources necessary to excite their students,” notes Del Duke. “FMC is committed to supporting the important work science teachers do every day.”

About FMC
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 2013, FMC had annual sales of approximately $3.9 billion.  The company employs approximately 5,600 people throughout the world, and operates its businesses in three segments: FMC Agricultural Solutions, FMC Health and Nutrition, and FMC Minerals. For more information, visit www.FMC.com. 

 About the Philadelphia Science Festival
The 2014 Philadelphia Science Festival is a citywide collaboration that brings together nine exciting days, April 25-May 3, filled with events that showcase science and technology in everyday life. With 175 of the region’s most influential institutions, museums and cultural centers working together, the Festival aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers by exploring the many ways that science and technology touch our everyday lives. Presented by The Dow Chemical Company and organized by The Franklin Institute, the Festival packs more than 100 events into nine exciting days at locations across the region, including restaurants, parks, breweries, libraries, museums and other neighborhood places, many of them free! Details at www.PhilaScienceFestival.org.