Nutrien Aurora Hosts STEM Event for Local Middle School Students

On October 30, the leadership team at Nutrien’s Aurora phosphate facility welcomed 40 middle school students for an immersive tour. This experience offered students a hands-on opportunity to explore the operations of a phosphate facility and understand the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in driving technological innovation and addressing global food security.

During the tour, students interacted with advanced technology and Nutrien professionals, exploring the real-world applications of their STEM studies. Highlights included hands-on laboratory demonstrations, insights into maintenance and safety protocols, environmental briefings, and valuable geological insights.

The event was part of Nutrien’s collaboration with the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership at North Carolina State University, which provides teachers with immersive summer experiences in industry and supports them in turning this industry exposure into instructional resources and programs for their schools, districts, and communities.

Mark Townley, Associate Director at the Kenan Fellows Program, commented on the event: “The Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership invests in teachers as trusted leaders of their community. We connect these professionals with supportive and deeply involved members of the community to highlight the workforce skills and job opportunities that exist for all students right there at home. We are grateful for Nutrien’s support of education in North Carolina, and of our program for the past year, that has allowed us to continue their work of providing great opportunities and experiences to students and schools. Nutrien graciously sponsored a Kenan Fellowship for our 2024-25 cohort, and they created a wonderful experience for our Kenan Fellow, Rachel Candaso, this past summer that will have a lasting impact for thousands of students in the years to come. Rachel truly cares about every student and works tirelessly to ensure access for all of her students. Pitt County Schools and the Kenan Fellows Program are grateful to have her as a champion for her community.”

Rachel Candaso, the teacher at Wellcome Middle School who participated in the fellowship, shared: “While at Nutrien for my three-week internship, I was able to learn more about the career opportunities that are on site for people at all entry levels. I learned about the mine process, the various uses of phosphate, and the training offered for employees to help them further develop their skills. I spent time at the mine and mine services, the chemical plant, and with the safety team. I was able to take this knowledge back to the classroom and share it with students so that they could see career opportunities right in their backyard.”

William Ponton, General Manager of Nutrien’s Aurora site, shared his thoughts on the educational tour: “Phosphate is integral to Nutrien’s purpose of Feeding the Future. It is essential not only for growing crops but also for promoting human and animal health. By fostering educational initiatives that inspire the next generation of STEM leaders, we are contributing to a brighter and more innovative future for all. I would like to thank our dedicated staff, Rachel Candaso and the leadership team at Wellcome and Hope Middle Schools, as well as our partners at the Kenan Fellows Program at NC State University for their unwavering commitment to the success of this initiative.”