Alcoa Foundation invests $70,000 in PSNK

UPPER BURRELL-Alcoa Foundation has invested $70,000 in the creation of an innovative Penn State New Kensington academic program.

This flagship program will create an interdiscipinary setting where students, professors, and Alcoa scientists  study the effects of polymers in our enviroment.

The program, "Reducing Our Enviromental Impact: Green Coatings without BPA," will study viable alternatives to the use of BPA (Bisphenol A) in consumer products.

BPA is controversial in the use of consumer products because of its ability to rapidly break down and its possible effects on health.

Eight PSNK students who are currently majoring in the STEM fields-science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-will contribute to the research.

"We are trying to provide a 'real world' opportunity for our students to be involved in a current issue that impacts our planet," said Kevin Snider, chancellor at PSNK. "This includes understanding the issues not only from a textbook but from discussions with current and retired experts who can share practical knowledge."

The partnership between the Alcoa Foundation and PSNK goes back almost 50 years to when the foundation donated land to the university.

In 2009 the foundation donated $70,000 towards STEM programs in the local elementary and secondary schools. That same year, Alcoa recieved PSNK's "Corporate Partner of the Year" award.