The Children’s Museum will host Dr. Rebecca Bercich as the 2025 Eli Lilly and Company Visiting Scientist on March 8 and 16 to discuss her work in sustainable design, innovative recycling and science education.
The program is designed to encourage young minds to think responsibly about the environment and see themselves as problem-solvers.
“Dr. Bercich’s passion for sustainability will aid the museum’s continuing sustainability efforts and help us create hands-on educational programming that makes scientific ideas easy for families to understand,” said Don Riefler, Science Programs Manager at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. “It is our goal to have her encourage girls and young women to see themselves in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) careers, sparking curiosity and passion for fields like engineering and environmental science.”
Bercich’s current research is on closed-loop plastic recycling, which turns used plastics into new products without creating pollution. Bercich is the director of Precious Plastic reTHink, where she recently received a grant from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to establish a plastic upcycling center. The center transforms plastics and serves as a community education hub.
Berich has also pioneered technologies in neuromuscular interfaces for amputees, earning a patent in the advancing technology. Berich has shared her knowledge through Women in Engineering programs and works to inspire students to pursue STEM.
Visitors to the museum in 2025 will have the opportunity to meet Bercich through demonstrations, workshops and talks about sustainability and renewable energy.
For more information, visit childrensmuseum.org.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
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Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
