Domtar Kingsport joined forces with the Dobyns-Bennett High School Women in STEM Club on Feb. 17 to inspire local middle school students during the school’s annual STEM Night.
Held at the Dobyns-Bennett STEM Building, the event focused on sparking curiosity and showcasing local career pathways in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields.
The Domtar team, which included Environmental Manager Bonnie Depew, Engineer II Iris Fregoso, Senior Process Control Engineer Tori Johnson and Senior Human Resources Generalist Ellie Mitchell, led students through an interactive demonstration of the papermaking process.
The activity illustrated how electrical, mechanical and chemical engineering converge to turn raw materials into everyday products.
“Domtar Kingsport’s transformation into a state-of-the-art recycled containerboard facility showcases exactly the kind of modern, technology-driven STEM pathways the event aims to highlight,” Mitchell said.
The event was organized by Randi Mabe, a Dobyns-Bennett student and the president and founder of the Dobyns-Bennett Women in STEM Club. Mabe sought out Domtar’s participation to provide students with a tangible look at large-scale modern manufacturing and biochemical engineering.
“It was a privilege to host Domtar at our recent STEM Night,” Mabe said. “Their paper-making demonstration was incredibly engaging, offering students a tangible look at the STEM careers available in their own community. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive from both the middle schoolers and our high school volunteers alike.”
“Seeing students connect classroom concepts to real-world applications was the best part,” Mitchell added. “Domtar is proud to support STEM education and help build the future workforce right here in our community. This is a great partnership in action.”
Mabe noted the interaction with STEM experts is a key factor in encouraging students to consider future careers in technical fields.
“This kind of direct engagement with industry professionals is exactly what inspires students to pursue their own futures in the STEM workforce,” Mabe commented.