The City of Piqua Utilities Department recently donated several boxes of laboratory equipment to Edison State Community College, supporting hands-on learning while extending the useful life of surplus materials.
The donation included beakers, graduated cylinders, Erlenmeyer flasks, pipettes and other assorted glassware, as well as a balance and stir plate. The equipment was previously used at the City’s water treatment facility and was no longer needed for daily operations.
Edison State’s Dean of Arts & Sciences Paul Heintz Jr. said the materials will support multiple academic programs at the college. Three departments regularly use this type of lab equipment, and any items not needed will be shared with Upper Valley Career Center to further benefit students in the region.
“This donation will directly benefit students by expanding access to real-world laboratory tools,” Heintz said. “We appreciate the City’s thoughtful approach to reusing these materials in a way that continues to serve the community.”
Utilities Director Kevin Krejny said partnerships like this allow the City to maximize the value of its resources while supporting education and workforce development.
“When equipment has reached the end of its use in our facilities, we see an opportunity rather than waste,” Krejny said. “By working with local schools, we can keep those resources in use and help students gain experience with tools they may encounter in their future careers.”
The City of Piqua regularly seeks opportunities to responsibly repurpose equipment while supporting local educational partners. Efforts like this strengthen connections between municipal operations and programs that prepare students for careers in science, utilities and skilled trades.
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Photo: Edison State Community College Dean of Arts & Sciences Paul Heintz, Jr. receives donated laboratory equipment from the City of Piqua Utilities Department.