12/07/2020
UOP Offering an Explorers Program.
UOP Explorer Post 915
Careers in Science and Engineering
Honeywell UOP, based in Des Plaines, Illinois, is a leading international supplier of process technology, products,
engineered systems, and technical and engineering services to the petroleum refining, petrochemical, and gas processing
industries. In January 2021, UOP will begin its 29th year as the sponsor of a Career Awareness Explorer Post that specializes
in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. Exploring is part of the Learning for Life program of the Boy Scouts of America
and is a co-ed program for high school students. No previous Scouting experience is necessary, and the program is separate
from traditional Scouting.
The goal of Post 915 is to introduce high school students to careers in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
using real-world experiences and hands-on projects. The program is designed to make learning fun as well as educational.
Instruction and supervision are provided by employees of UOP, professional scientists and engineers who are experts in their
fields. The Post program for 2020-2021 will begin with an introduction to UOP and the research that we carry out.
The main focus for the Post will be the Post research project, which is a series of experiments carried out in the
UOP research laboratories. Previous projects have included:
• Synthesizing and Characterizing Biodiesel
• Fabricating, testing, and modeling membranes for CO2 sequestration
• Solar energy
• Making and testing zeolites for CO2 adsorption; Global warming analysis
• Water Purification: Impurity removal and microbe control
• Mars Exploration Mission
• Artificial Heart
• Crystallization
• Forensic Science
• Thermodynamics and Simple Machines
• Electromagnetic Spectrum and Solar Power
• Catalyst and Zeolite Synthesis and Testing
Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, UOP Post advisors are planning a shortened virtual Explorer Post
program for this year, from January through April 2021. This year’s project will focus on using a microcontroller to control
different sensors that have everyday applications and can be used to solve engineering problems. The theme will be exploring
automation, process control, and sensors applications in chemical engineering. Students will need to have a computer and
internet connection to participate. And UOP will provide the necessary equipment (microcontrollers, sensors, etc.) and work
with each student to address their needs on software and hardware.
A virtual meeting link will be sent to students to call in at the assigned time to listen to lectures on the topics, attend
breakout sessions with Post advisors for Q&A and/or get help on their projects. At the end of the project, students will
showcase their results in a virtual presentation session. Virtual meetings are scheduled for Thursday evenings from January
through April. Meetings start at 7:00 pm and last until about 8:30 pm.
Due to the nature of the work carried out by the Post advisors, membership is limited. Please contact Ha Dinh
([email protected] or 847-391-2496) or Iris Alvarado Santiago ([email protected] or 847-539-
8323) for more information and to reserve a spot by Friday, December 11 2020.
