MIDLAND, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Sharing a common passion for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and education, The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) and Richard Childress Racing (RCR) unveiled today the first of a series of learning modules that bring to life the importance of STEM in the sport of racing.

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Austin Dillon, driver of the No. 3 Dow Chevrolet (Photo: Business Wire)

Designed as a partnership among Dow employees, RCR employees, and educators from North Carolina State University, and Mount Airy High School, a RCR partner school in North Carolina, “The Speed of STEM” puts kids in the driver’s seat by using hands-on experiments to make STEM subjects accessible and exciting. The activities, starting with the physics module launched today, with math and chemistry to be published later this year, will be available online for global access. The modules will also be administered in classrooms in Dow communities around the world by employee volunteers known as Dow STEM Ambassadors.

The release of the module will be celebrated during the August 6 race weekend at Watkins Glen International in New York and will be showcased on the No. 3 Dow STEM Chevrolet driven by Austin Dillon.

”Learning can be fun and I think that the curriculum that Dow has put together shows just how fun it can be,” said Austin Dillon, driver of the No. 3 Dow Chevrolet. “I depend on my crew chief and engineers for their knowledge every day, so it’s cool to think that their passion for science and math was sparked when they were kids. I hope that all of the elements that Dow and RCR have put together can help create an interest in science, technology, engineering and math for future generations. From the design of the car to the lesson plans and videos, I think Dow has created something really cool for kids.”

“RCR and Dow share a common passion for STEM and the desire to guide young students into STEM careers,” said Eric Warren, Ph.D., director of Competition for RCR and an aerospace engineer from North Carolina State University. “Physics and the concepts of mass, energy and motion are essential parts of racing. There is no better environment than this to learn about things that move and create energy.”

“We believe in the power of bringing together the passion of our people, the strength of our key partnerships, and our technology and innovation to inspire young people to get excited about how STEM impacts the world around them,” said Rob Vallentine, president, The Dow Chemical Company Foundation. “We are proud to extend our partnership with RCR from the race track to the classroom to inspire the next generation to embrace STEM subjects and pursue STEM careers.”

This partnership supports Dow’s commitment to Building the Workforce of Tomorrow, and drives progress towards it 2025 Sustainability Goal of positively impacting the lives of 1 billion people through Engaging Employees for Impact.

Dow and RCR invite everyone to learn about the physics of racing by viewing The Speed of STEM module and videos.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company is driving innovations that extract value from material, polymer, chemical and biological science to help address many of the world's most challenging problems, such as the need for fresh food, safer and more sustainable transportation, clean water, energy efficiency, more durable infrastructure, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's integrated, market-driven portfolio delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in 175 countries and in high-growth sectors such as packaging, infrastructure, transportation, consumer care, electronics, and agriculture. In 2016, Dow had annual sales of $48 billion and employed approximately 56,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 7,000 product families are manufactured at 189 sites in 34 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

About Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing (rcrracing.com) is a renowned, performance-driven racing, marketing and manufacturing organization. RCR has earned more than 200 victories and 15 championships, including six in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Its 2017 Cup Series lineup includes two-time NASCAR champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 Dow/American Ethanol/AAA Chevrolet), 2011 Brickyard 400 champion Paul Menard (No. 27 Menards Chevrolet) and 2008 Daytona 500 champion and 2013 Brickyard 400 winner Ryan Newman (No. 31 Caterpillar/Grainger Chevrolet). Its XFINITY Series program includes a multi-driver lineup with Austin Dillon, Paul Menard and Ben Kennedy (No. 2 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet), a multi-driver lineup with Ty Dillon and others (No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Rheem/Red Kap Chevrolet), Daniel Hemric (No. 21 Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff Chevrolet), Brandon Jones (No. 33 Menards/Nexteer Chevrolet) and Brendan Gaughan (No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino/U.S. Cellular Chevrolet).

^®TM Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow

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