Recently, RYAM’s Jesup Marketing and Research Center (MRC) hosted middle school students from Turning Point Christian Academy for an inside look at how renewable, forest-based resources are transformed into high-performance biomaterials.
Rather than a general introduction to STEM, the visit focused on what makes RYAM distinct: connecting raw materials to real-world applications. Students saw firsthand how innovation begins with something as simple as a tree and evolves into products used globally.
Where Curiosity Meets Application
Students in grades 6–8 toured select laboratory spaces and engaged directly with RYAM scientists. Discussions highlighted how cellulose-based materials are engineered and adapted across a range of applications, from specialty fibers to advanced material solutions.
The experience connected classroom concepts to a tangible value chain: raw material → research → product → impact: offering a clearer view of how science translates into real careers.
A highlight of the visit was the “Elephant Toothpaste” experiment, led by Susan Benton, demonstrating chemical reactions in a hands-on and memorable way.
Expanding the View of STEM Careers
Students were introduced to the range of disciplines involved in bringing biomaterial innovations to market, reinforcing that careers in science extend beyond the lab to include engineering, manufacturing, and sustainability.
Advancing Awareness of Biomaterials Innovation
This visit reflects RYAM’s commitment to increasing awareness of a less visible but critical field: where renewable resources, industrial expertise, and innovation intersect to create sustainable material solutions.
RYAM team members supporting the visit included Hannah Bennett, Walker Priester, Susan Benton, and Larissa Fenn.
