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Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)
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      Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)


      Mission: The safe elimination of chemical weapons at Pueblo and Blue Grass by Sept. 30, 2023

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      Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP)

      BGCAPP is safely destroying the chemical weapons stockpile currently in storage at the Blue Grass Army Depot near Richmond, Kentucky.

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      Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP)

      PCAPP is safely destroying the chemical weapons stockpile currently in storage at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado.

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Blue Grass Engineers Reach Out to Local Students

Published: August 13, 2015 | Category: BGCAPP News, People
Blue Grass engineers and technical personnel volunteer their time in area science, technology, engineering and math-oriented activities such as science fairs, classroom events and robotics.

Blue Grass engineers and technical personnel volunteer their time in area science, technology, engineering and math-oriented activities such as science fairs, classroom events and robotics.

Even as summer winds down, many kids are more focused on finding the nearest pool than planning their future career paths. However, Blue Grass plant engineers are making a big splash in the classroom as they show students that science and engineering occupations are cool.

“We build projects, give presentations, talk at career days and judge science fair events,” said engineer Charity Grano, manager of performance excellence and quality services and lead of the Blue Grass Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Outreach Program. “We always try to inspire students to develop an interest in a technical field.”

Engineers at the plant perform many different jobs, from designing structures and systems and reviewing technical documents to testing and analyzing equipment that will destroy the chemical weapons stockpile stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot.

But they are also encouraged to give back to their communities through volunteer work with kids. The project’s education outreach program supports engineers and other employees who wish to volunteer time in the classroom. Volunteers may assist in an education outreach presentation or go solo into a classroom, depending on their comfort level.

“We can provide a project to a volunteer who might want to go build something with sixth graders to teach them about structural engineering, or many other technical fields,” said Siobhan Adkins, education outreach specialist. “We reach thousands of kids each year and the response from teachers and students is overwhelmingly positive.”

The two main goals of the project’s volunteer program are to strengthen community relationships and to inspire area children about STEM careers.

“What better way to connect the Blue Grass project with the community than through this program?” said Ava Steele, business manager. “I may not be an engineer, but I have had the chance to talk about how engineers help me do my job through the design and creation of computers, calculators, even the chair I sit in. The kids love it!”

More BGCAPP People Articles

  • Kingston Reif, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Threat Reduction and Arms Control, second from left, listens as program and project officials explain the Static Detonation Chamber 2000 at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Dec. 14.

    Key Defense Official Tours Blue Grass Plant

    Published: December 21, 2021
  • Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense Programs Deborah G. Rosenblum (center) observes the M55 rocket destruction process on screens in the Control Room at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant on Oct. 12. (A portion of this photograph has been blurred in accordance with Department of Defense guidelines.)

    Pentagon Official Visits Blue Grass Plant

    Published: October 14, 2021
  • Col. Stephen D. Dorris, left, assumed command of the Blue Grass Army Depot July 9. Lt. Col. Edward E. Williams, right, assumed command of the Blue Grass Chemical Activity July 1

    Blue Grass Welcomes New Commanders

    Published: July 27, 2020
  • Karl Slaughenhaupt was named the first principal deputy at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant in November.

    Project’s First Principal Deputy Named

    Published: December 20, 2019
  • Recycling facility workers remove brass rotating bands from scrap 155mm projectiles previously processed at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant and delivered to the recycling facility for smelting. This material is considered clean of chemical agent per U.S. Army standards and is acceptable for recycling.

    Processed Munitions Bodies Delivered for Recycling

    Published: November 21, 2019
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Other Recent BGCAPP News

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BGCAPP People Videos

  • Blue Grass Plant Employees Prepare Through Training

    Blue Grass Plant Employees Prepare Through Training

    September 22, 2015
  • Employees Bring Wealth of Experience to Blue Grass Plant

    Employees Bring Wealth of Experience to Blue Grass Plant

    June 9, 2015
  • Blue Grass Plant Volunteers Bring Engineering to Life for Students

    Blue Grass Plant Volunteers Bring Engineering to Life for Students

    May 30, 2015
  • Blue Grass Builds on Community Involvement

    Blue Grass Builds on Community Involvement

    July 2, 2014
  • Education Outreach in Kentucky

    Education Outreach in Kentucky

    September 13, 2012

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Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)