Thanks to the generous support of our partners, the SPE Foundation is providing new scholarships to a record number of applicants this year, engaging hundreds of Girl Scouts through the Girl Scout Patch Program, and exposing more than 17,000 students to Positive Plastics Education through PlastiVan®. See how we’re changing the perception of plastics and introducing students to the amazing world of polymers.

Investing in Tomorrow: Plastics Hall of Fame Scholarships
To honor dedicated students pursuing careers in the plastics industry and address the increasing demand for support, the Plastics Hall of Fame is pleased to offer four $5,000 scholarships through the SPE Foundation. Following a record-breaking year in 2024, during which the SPE Foundation awarded over $262,000 in scholarships, these new awards will allow us to assist even more students amid an unprecedented number of applications. Additionally, we are excited to present our inaugural Michael P. Sepe Scholarship and two scholarships through ALPS Inspection this year. These collaborations enable us to make a significant impact on future plastics professionals facing rising educational costs.

From Indiana to Florida: Girl Scout Patch Program Hits the Road with Polymer Science!
On April 5th, the SPE Foundation hosted an event in Valparaiso, Indiana, with the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & Northwest Indiana. Girls in grades 4-12 explored polymers, thermoplastics, recycling, and careers in the plastics industry, earning our “Color Your World with Polymer Science” patch. This marked our fourth event with this Girl Scout Council, enabling us to introduce hundreds of girls to the fascinating world of polymer science.

With sponsorship from DuPont Tedlar®, on April 12th, the SPE Foundation participated in the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida’s STEMapalooza at Florida Polytechnic University, engaging over 1,800 Girl Scouts in similar activities. The SPE Foundation is committed to collaborating with Girl Scout Councils to inspire girls to seek ways they can become changemakers in our industry.

 

SPE Foundation Donors Honored at ANTEC®

Our new members of the SPE Foundation Ambassador Giving Society and those who moved up a level were honored at this year’s ANTEC® Awards Luncheon. Established in 2024, the Ambassador Giving Society recognizes donors who have given $10,000 and above to support the work and mission of theSPEFoundation. You can view the list of the Ambassador Giving Society’s 66 individuals and organizations on the SPE Foundation’s website.

 

PlastiVan® in Action!
Positive Plastics Education thrived in classrooms across the U.S. and Canada during the 2024-2025 academic year! Over 17,000 middle and high school students participated in a PlastiVan® visit thus far, where they discovered opportunities in science and engineering within the plastics industry and learned how they can contribute to sustainable solutions that make a real difference in the world.
We sincerely thank our generous PlastiVan® sponsors for the 2024-2025 academic year; their support allows us to sustain this meaningful work:

Advanced Blending Solutions
Ampacet Corporation
Arkema
Ascend Cares Foundation
BASF
Beaumont Technologies, Inc.
Braskem
Brueckner Group USA, Inc.
Celanese
Celanese Foundation
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LLC Chicago S.P.E. Educational Foundation Colortech
Conexus NEO
DuPont Tedlar®
Husky Technologies

Manner Polymers
NAPCOR
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Plastics Industry Association
Plastics Industry Association Equipment Council
Plastics Pioneers Association
Plastikos
SPE Automotive Division
SPE Blow Molding Division
SPE Chicago Section
SPE Color & Appearance Division
SPE Detroit Section
SPE Milwaukee Education Foundation
SPE Northwestern Pennsylvania Section
SPE Palisades-MidAtlantic Section
SPE Vinyl Division
TWWomer & Associates, LLC

 

Honoring Excellence: A Tribute to Patsy & Glenn Beall

This March, the SPE Foundation launched the Patsy & Glenn Beall Honored Service Member Scholarship Endowment campaign. Named in tribute to the legendary Patsy and Glenn Beall, this scholarship will honor a dedicated student who exemplifies exceptional leadership and commitment within their SPE Student Chapter. It will provide both financial support and inspiration for future leaders in our industry. Scholarship endowments allow us to recognize deserving students while honoring our esteemed colleagues and friends. You can help make this meaningful award a reality by visiting give.4spe.org/patsyandglennbeallscholarship.

SPE Foundation 2024 Impact Report
The SPE Foundation remains dedicated to inspiring future plastics professionals and highlighting the numerous ways plastics impact our world. From PlastiVan® and Girl Scout Council Patch Programs to scholarships and 3D Printer Grants, discover more about our mission and the contributions of our partners in our 2024 Impact Report!

We couldn’t achieve this without the generous support of our SPE Chapter partners. If you’re interested in making a difference and sharing what our work and industry can offer students, let’s start the conversation! Contact Eve Vitale, Chief Executive, at evitale@4spe.org.