“The best success stories come from both students and teachers when the light comes on in their minds answering the question, ‘THIS is how that works?!?’”
Kevin Benner helps science come alive for students in his community in Knoxville, relating STEM to everyday activities and conducting elementary school science demonstrations under the stage name of “Dr. Beaker.” As the Global Quality Systems Specialist for the Coatings Business of the Dow Chemical Company, both chemistry and community education are part of Benner’s daily life.
Benner began volunteering in his children’s elementary and middle school science classes, and continues to share his love for chemistry with students of all ages. Today, Benner teaches a weekly college chemistry course and inspires students as an Essential Elements instructor in the Chemical Education Foundation’s You Be The Chemist program.
His ability to make science engaging and relatable to students has earned Benner recognition as a You Be The Chemist Community Champion for his work advancing STEM education. In addition to his college chemistry course and role as an Essential Elements instructor, Benner also serves as the coordinator for the Chemical Education Foundation’s “You Be The Chemist Challenge” in Tennessee.
Benner says his involvements are “an excellent way for me to share my love of chemistry with students and teachers.” He also thinks it’s important for students to understand the thousands of ways in which chemistry and STEM inventions have helped the world become a better place, from medicine and water purification to advances in building technologies and transportation and countless other quality of life improvements.
Cultivated by his mother’s own profession, Benner’s love of chemistry comes naturally. His mother was a pioneer in the STEM community as one of the few female organic chemists in the field during the 1940s-1960s and Benner’s “true inspiration.” Fascinated by chemical reactions and the changes they cause, Benner hopes sharing his knowledge “may spark others to become interested in chemistry or other STEM Sciences.”
Benner’s own curiosity for learning makes him an exceptional mentor. To this day, Benner’s passion for learning has not subsided. He hopes to one day learn more about the chemical reactions that cause colors to change by studying minerals and gems. Benner knows that scientists like himself are responsible for cultivating the next generation of scientists to “make the world a better place in which to live.”
