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College of Natural Resources
Forest Biomaterials

Promoting Students’ Awareness of the Bioeconomy and Careers 

December 6, 2022

Eighteen high school students and thirteen middle school students participated in two outreach events with the Department of Forest Biomaterials on NC State campus Saturday, October 29, and Saturday, November 5, 2022. The events were made possible by an Eastman Chemical Company University Engagement Fund grant led by PI, Dr. Richard Venditti. The students were members of the North Carolina Math/Science Education Network (MSEN),  directed by Mr. Braska Williams.  MSEN is an NC State led pre-college enrichment program for students from underserved populations and prepares students for future college and career pathways in STEM. 

During the events, students learned about the use of drones in the bioeconomy and how they can be used to facilitate environmentally-friendly precision agriculture that maximizes crop yields and minimizes fertilizer and water usage. The students had an opportunity to fly a drone at NC State’s Schenck Memorial Forest and on NC State’s campus.

Students learned about and had the opportunity to fly a drone to observe a forest canopy.

Forest Biomaterials graduate students Luz Meza Carvajal, Taylor Kanipe, and Autumn Reynolds guided the students through a hands-on activity to recycle printed copy paper and remove the ink to create recycled paper handsheets. The visits also included a tour of the paper manufacturing pilot plant as well as Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) career exploration activities and discussions. Students, professors, and graduate students also had the chance to talk informally over a Chick-fil-A lunch. 

Graduate students facilitated the students conducting a paper recycling, flotation de-inking and hand-made paper project. Students competed to create the recycled paper with the lowest ink content. 
Dr. Venditti led the high school group on a tour of the paper pilot plant.