Cenovus Says

Think back to your younger self and recall when something sparked your interest in a career. The Science Enhancement for Science Advancement (SESA) program has aimed to do that for science and STEM careers for more than 30 years.

Cenovus Lima Refinery is the lead financial sponsor of the program, also supported by other companies located in the Shawnee Township petrochemical complex, Ashland, Fort Amanda Specialties, INEOS and Nutrien.

The Allen County Educational Service Center is the coordinating and fiscal agent for this program to all public school districts in Allen County. The companies’ funding supports a teacher, who is employed by the ESC and travels to classrooms for the interactive lessons. Company employees and retirees also volunteer to teach some lessons.

The SESA program was developed in 1989 when engineers from BP Chemicals, the Lima Refinery and educators from Allen County came together to discuss concerns regarding the minimal number of high school graduates interested in pursuing math and science-related careers.

The lessons range from a favorite of grade schoolers, Weather and Water, in which students work with dry ice to “catch a cloud,” to a newer lesson for older students on genetics and DNA. Nearly 400,000 students have been served since the program’s inception.