Fostering Innovation Through Stem Support

By Cynthia Challener

Paint may appear to be a simple product-a polymer in some type of solution that dries to leave behind a film. In reality, however, coating per­formance depends on complex chemical and physical inter­actions between the polymer and “solvent” molecules, additive components, and the surface to which the paint has been applied. A deep understanding of chemistry, physics, and engineering is therefore needed to develop innovative coating solutions to the challenges raised in industrial, architectural, marine, and other market sectors. Indeed, the coatings industry must constantly evolve its capabilities to address the diverse and ever-changing needs for beautification, protection, and more and more frequently, functional performance.

Access to an employee base with a strong grounding in sci­ence, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is absolutely essential. In the United States, concerns have been raised about the perfor­mance of elementary and secondary school students in STEM subjects, as well as the limited number of college students majoring in these fields and pursuing careers that require such skills. Members of the coatings industry value chain have recog­nized the potential consequences for the sector if these trends are not reversed. They are actively involved in projects designed to encourage interest in science at all educa­tional levels.