Bee a ChemE: Changing Perceptions of Chemical Engineering

Bee a ChemE, one of the AIChE K-12 Community’s newest initiatives, aims to engage middle school students in the many opportunities and career paths offered by chemical engineering. Part of the “Changing Perceptions” priority of the AIChE Foundation’s Doing a World of Good campaign, Bee a ChemE will spark excitement for STEM — science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — and inspire the next generation of engineers.

Bee a ChemE was originally conceived to combat the decline in undergraduate chemical engineering enrollment. The initiative is specifically targeted to middle school students — rather than high school students — because many students have already decided what career path they would like to pursue by the time they reach high school. Making it known that chemical engineering is an option in middle school will help attract the best and the brightest students to the profession. Bee a ChemE is introducing middle school students from all backgrounds, as well as parents, teachers, and the public, to the countless ways in which chemical engineers are improving the world while energizing the next generation to engineer the future.

Bee a ChemE’s new microsite, at aiche.org/beeacheme, showcases the exciting world of chemical engineering through a fun and interactive platform. Visitors to the website can view videos, meet chemE influencers, and learn about the many career paths open to chemical engineers. In addition, the website gives students a detailed description of what they should study to pursue chemical engineering...