Educating the Next Generation: How Nucor is Sparking Interest in Steel
The Story of Steel: Helping Kids Discover the Power of Recycling
Nucor teammates love what they do and are always finding new ways to connect with the communities where they live and work. At Nucor’s scrap metal recycling facilities teammates are passionate about teaching the next generation how recycling plays a vital role in creating a more sustainable future.
Recently, our recycling teams partnered with Recycling is Like Magic! an organization with a 30-year goal to eliminate metal from the waste stream through education and awareness, to create a recycling is like magic presentation for elementary and middle school students. They used the group’s first two books, The Girl Who Recycled 1 Million Cans and A Recycling Adventure to the Scrapyard to introduce children to the world of metal recycling and highlight how scrap yards help keep valuable materials out of landfills by turning them into something new.
The presentations have been a hit with the students, who get to learn about recycling in a way that is tailored to them.
“Children are obviously so curious and excited to learn,”
said Carson Canfield, Advantage Metal Recycling teammate responsible for coordinating this effort.
During the presentations, Carson brings real examples of recyclable materials from AMR and explains how they can be reused. The team has also incorporated competitions, such as collecting the most aluminum cans, to engage the students further.
This partnership inspired teammates at Nucor Steel Seattle to imagine the next chapter in Ellie’s recycling journey, one that would teach kids what happens after scrap metal leaves the scrapyard. The team collaborated with Recycling is Like Magic! again to create the newest book in the series, A Recycling Adventure to the Steel Mill.
In this story, Ellie follows the scrap metal from her dad’s old pickup truck to a Nucor steel mill, where she learns how it’s melted down and transformed into new steel using an Electric Arc Furnace. The book brings to life the circular steel making process at Nucor mills and how every old bike, care, or bridge has the potential for a new beginning.
“We’re so passionate about what we do and recognize that the process is thrilling to see; now we can safely share our work with the youth in our community and hopefully inspire them to learn more!”
said Samantha Hogan, Nucor Steel Seattle Talent and Recruiting Specialist.
Through partnerships like this, Nucor teammates are helping spark curiosity, creativity, and environmental responsibility in young readers. By connecting our work to education and storytelling, we are inspiring the next generation of steelmakers and recyclers.
Creating Curriculum That Connects Students to Steel Manufacturing
Nucor’s entered a partnership with Discovery Education, a global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources for K–12 students. By joining forces, we’re investing in the future of steelmaking and manufacturing, ensuring that students across the country have access to high-quality STEM and sustainability education.
Discovery Education empowers educators and students with innovative digital content, reaching millions nationwide. Through this partnership, Nucor has played a pivotal role in expanding the reach and impact of educational resources that highlight dynamic career pathways in manufacturing and sustainable steel production. Our involvement in the STEM Careers Coalition, a nationwide initiative focused on equity and access in STEM education, has allowed us to help develop four career-focused resources that spotlight the steel industry. These resources, available at no cost to teachers, have exposed learners to the exciting opportunities that await in the world of steel.
During the 2024–2025 school year, Nucor’s educational content was accessed by more than 133 school districts across 33 states, a testament to our broad and growing impact. Most recently, we created a virtual field trip through a steel mill, which gives students a firsthand look at the steelmaking process and its real-world applications. This immersive experience connects classroom learning to industry practices, helping students envision themselves as future innovators and leaders.
We’ve also produced two career profile videos, offering students a glimpse into a day in the life of a Metallurgical Engineer and an Electrical Engineer. These stories bring STEM careers to life, showing the vital roles these professionals play in shaping the steel industry. Our teammates also have the opportunity to participate as Career Connect volunteers, sharing their expertise and experiences with students and educators to spark interest in careers they may not have considered.
As a founding member of the Environmental Education Initiative, Nucor is helping to connect K–12 students to educational concepts that illuminate the intersections of environment, economy, and society. Powered by Discovery Education, this initiative provides equitable access to project-based learning experiences and robust research frameworks, driving meaningful impact for students, their communities, and the planet. Beyond career exploration, our resources teach students about the importance of recycling and the circular economy, and even address topics like food deserts – all connected to Nucor’s core value of sustainability.
Nucor’s partnership with Discovery Education is more than an investment in educational resources – it’s a commitment to building a brighter, more sustainable future by empowering students to discover their potential and pursue careers that will shape the world.