Rubber Division expands student outreach with RubberHeart

HERTFORD, England—The ACS Rubber Division is leaning into its partnership with RubberHeart Ltd. to expand international educational outreach opportunities for students.

RubberHeart, along with Heather Maimone, the Rubber Division's membership and outreach director, will develop a strategy to drive student engagement and accelerate innovation among next-generation rubber industry professionals.

"The key ambition of the initiative," RubberHeart said in a statement, "is to bring more young scientists from all backgrounds at undergraduate and graduate level studying any aspect of elastomer chemistry, technology and engineering to the (Rubber Division) community by increasing student membership and participation in its Student Chapter program."

Embracing technological opportunities has been key for the Rubber Division, both as it works to engage more students and provide some of the industry's most comprehensive educational and training opportunities. All of the courses planned for this year have transitioned to an online, webinar format. Student members can access all of these resources for free, once they have purchased a $25 student membership.

The Rubber Division plans to extend the membership benefit to its Undergraduate Student Members.

The transition of the International Elastomer Conference 2020 to an online event this year also opens opportunities for international students to become more closely involved with the Rubber Division, RubberHeart said. Students can register free of charge to access the technical program, educational symposium and student colloquium.

Students Chapters of the Rubber Division also offer opportunities for next-generation professionals to network, learn and access resources. Student Chapters must have at least six student members and a faculty advisor. Members receive a complementary student membership and access to technical meetings as well as networking and career development opportunities.