Serving Our Community
We are proud to lead and support educational and environmental initiatives in the communities we call home. Our outreach efforts include:
- Community recycling & waste disposal events
- Employee & community collections for local nonprofit organizations
- Waterway litter removal
- Internship opportunities
- Summer science camp for kids
- Career fairs
- Chemistry demonstrations in schools
- A unique externship program that provides teachers an inside look at STEM career fields
In addition, Carus budgets more than a quarter of a million dollars annually so employees can volunteer for community projects during paid work hours.
Scientific Work Experience Program for Teachers (SWEPT)
Piloted as an externship in 1998 by Carus, the Scientific Work Experience Program provides teachers with workplace experience that connects curriculum and instruction to the “real world” of work, to further their own professional development, and to better understand career opportunities in the rapidly-changing fields of science, math, and technology.
Career Fairs
In addition to attending career fairs at area schools and career centers, Carus is a co-sponsor of the Discover Manufacturing Career Expo, an event aimed at educating hundreds of high school students about career opportunities in manufacturing.
Summer Science Camp
Carus’s annual Summer Science Camp provides a week filled with educational, hands-on science experiments and programs free-of-charge to students entering 6th grade in the communities surrounding our Peru, IL headquarters. Campers are introduced to principles of geology, biology, physics, chemistry and astronomy. In addition to exploring basic concepts, students learn about laboratory safety, keeping a lab notebook, and using the scientific method. Guided by local teachers and former campers in a classroom setting, students engage in experiments that enhance their understanding of the world around them, and encourage a life-long love of learning.
Chemistry Demonstrations
In conjunction with the American Chemical Society’s National Chemistry Week, Carus employees present science demonstrations and experiments to thousands of junior high school students each year. Our goal is to inspire the next generation of chemists and engineers, and to show children how much fun education can be! As part of our commitment to Responsible Care®, Carus also aims to teach children about chemical safety, reminding them that chemicals can be found anywhere, and safety must always come first.
Canal Clean-Up
For almost 20 years, Carus has participated in the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Illinois & Michigan (I&M) Canal State Trail Adopt-A-Trail Program. Carus employees volunteer to remove litter and report damage along a stretch of Illinois’ historic I&M Canal every month, year-round.