R&D Field Trip Day at Stepan’s Global Technology Center

June 13, 2025

Earlier this summer, Stepan’s Global Technology Center (GTC) had the pleasure of hosting a field trip day with students Northtown Academy (a local Chicagoland high school). For this event, Northtown Academy students and teachers, as well as a representative from Teach for America, had the opportunity to explore six different departments of our GTC:

1.       Analytical: Students identified and differentiated various beverages using the mass spectrometer.

2.       Synthesis: Students learned about polymers by making borax-glue slime and explored surfactant emulsification properties by mixing oil and water.

3.       Polymers: Students were taught about polymer applications and created their own rigid foam samples.

4.       Personal Care: Students witnessed the solubilization of fragrance and prepared their own customized foaming hand soap.

5.       Microbiology: Students examined a variety of materials under microscope slides and learned about the safe handling of microbes, including the use of an anaerobic glove box.

6.       Fermentation: Students received an introduction to fermentation, observed a fermentation reaction through the lab window and live video feed, as well as the opportunity to see various fermentation products they might encounter in their everyday lives.

This exploration also included a range of activities led by several of our Stepan employee volunteers. From lab demonstrations to group lab tours, our team had the pleasure of showing members of our community a glimpse of their day working in the chemical field.

Stepan’s partnership with Northtown Academy and Teach for America has been a cherished and continued tradition at our GTC for over 10 years now. We look forward to future events together and to continuing to inspire the next generation of scientists in our community.