PPG sponsors Pittsburgh science shows
at 12 schools in Metro Detroit
The PPG Industries Foundation sponsored interactive assemblies
about color, chemistry and climate change presented recently by
Carnegie Science Center of Pittsburgh at 12 schools in Metro
Detroit. Through an employee program of the foundation, employees at the PPG Industries Automotive Technology Center in
Troy requested grants to bring the science shows to area schools
where they have an interest.
Timothy Knavish, PPG vice president, automotive OEM
coatings, Americas, welcomed students at Thirkell Elemen-
tary to join in “The Great Color Caper” and help find the
culprit who stole colors from the city of Spectropolis, while
learning about the science behind light and color. Students in
other schools explored how chemistry affects industry, tech-
nology and the environment with “Ion Jones and the Lost
Castle of Chemistry,” and some joined a quest to save the en-
vironment while learning about the science of climate change
and renewable energy technology with “Captain Green’s
Time Machine.”
“PPG is strongly committed to helping enhance the quality of
life in communities such as Metro Detroit where it has a presence,
especially through educational initiatives such as these Carnegie
Science Center assemblies,” Knavish said. “We are excited to have
brought these programs to Thirkell and other schools in the De-
troit area, and we hope they helped students to see how fun and
exciting science and technology can be.”
Carnegie Science Center developed these three interactive Sci-
ence on the Road educational programs, and a fourth called
“Fractured Physics,” with more than $580,000 in combined do-
nations from the PPG Industries Foundation and PPG Industries.
Additionally, PPG employees collaborated with the science cen-
ter’s education specialists to develop the multimedia shows and
accompanying materials. CW
98 | Coatings World www.coatingsworld.com July 2011
Students at Lindbergh Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan enjoy a presentation of the multimedia, interactive “Ion Jones and the Lost
Castle of Chemistry” assembly from Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh. The show is one of four dynamic Science on the Road educational
programs that Carnegie Science Center developed with funding and participation from PPG. Employees at the PPG Automotive Technology
Center in Troy requested grants through a PPG Industries Foundation program to fund visits by this show and two others to Lindbergh and
11 other schools in Metro Detroit.
