ELC Is Inspiring the Next Generation of Cosmetics Scientists and STEM Talent

ELC Is Inspiring the Next Generation of Cosmetics Scientists and STEM Talent

The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) inspires future generations of STEM professionals with hands-on learning experiences in New York and Minnesota.

Company Feature, May 12, 2025

At The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC), our scientists, engineers, and supply chain experts are driving our breakthrough research, innovative product development, packaging sustainability, and more. Many members of these teams also engage in activities that aim to inspire young minds in the communities where we live and work. Across our enterprise, we are deeply committed to demonstrating how beauty intersects with science and technology, inspiring future generations to explore opportunities in STEM.

For the second year in a row, ELC was a sponsor of STEM Weekend at the Long Island Children's Museum (LICM) in New York. Employee volunteers from our Melville campus, also located on Long Island, engaged local children and teens in hands-on STEM activities, showcasing the science and technology that goes into making prestige beauty products.

Employees across ELC's Value Chain and R&D/Innovation led interactive activities related to product formulation, natural ingredients, package design, product quality testing, and emulsions in products. Parents joined the fun with free product samples and had the opportunity to learn about ELC's Clinical Research Center, where clinical studies help validate product performance. A highlight of the weekend was a hands-on workshop where children created their own face mists and used a fill machine to package jars of eye cream. These elements brought the science and technology behind beauty to life for children and their families.

ELC's partnership with LICM is especially meaningful given ELC's longstanding presence in Melville, New York. With more than 55 years on Long Island and hundreds of scientists, engineers, product developers, and technical professionals based at the Melville campus, the company is committed to developing the next generation of STEM talent in its own backyard.

Young attendees participate in ELC's activation at Long Island Children's Museum

"We are incredibly passionate about enabling kids' interest in STEM, which opens so many doors for their futures. It is exciting for us to show young people how beauty and science connect," said Lisa Napolione, Senior Vice President, Global R&D. "We focus on hands-on experiments and demos which result in a high level of engagement across all ages. There is something powerful about sharing the chemistry, biology, engineering, and innovation behind our products, since we're not just sparking curiosity, we're building the next generation of STEM leaders right here on Long Island."

The following weekend, ELC hosted "The Science and Sustainability of Beauty" as a featured partner with the Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM). Featured Partner Days at the museum are an opportunity for companies to build awareness for their work, particularly as it relates to STEM, and are an opportunity for the museum to introduce visitors to people in the community who are making a living in STEM professions. Employees from ELC's R&D and Value Chain teams based in Blaine, MN-where Aveda is headquartered-took part in Featured Partner Day, bringing their expertise in STEM and commitments to sustainability.

As part of the Featured Partner Day, ELC led several hands-on activities for visitors to learn more about the company's R&D and supply chain presence in Minnesota, including how the company's scientists, engineers, and supply chain professionals are combining art, science, and sustainability to create, make, and test prestige beauty products and packages.

ELC's STEM activation at the Science Museum of Minnesota

Children and their families participated in activities focused on chemistry and chromatograms, sustainable operations, solar panels and recycling, natural ingredients selection, foam and lather experiences, and more!

Christine Hall, Vice President, R&D Hair Care and Color, Aveda, participated in the event and shared, "It is always such a privilege to connect with students. If our presence here inspired even one of them to explore a future in STEM, then it was a huge success!"

ELC is deeply committed to inspiring young minds and showing them not only how the company uses science to create products with meaningful benefits, but how they can one day become scientists and engineers in beauty themselves. ELC looks forward to continuing to expand our efforts to educate and empower the next generation of innovators in science and beauty.

You May Also Like

International Day of Education: Spotlight on Global Partners through ELCCF

On this International Day of Education, The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation (ELCCF) proudly celebrates the power of education in shaping lives and strengthening communities.

Aveda Announces Improved Innovation of Paper-Based, Recyclable Sachets, Now Offered Globally

At The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC), we're committed to sustainability throughout the product journey, and Aveda's redesign reflects Aveda's continuous dedication to responsible packaging solutions.

ELC's Voice-enabled Makeup Assistant Wins for Innovation at World 50 Impact Awards 2025

Last week, ELC was honored with the Innovation Award at the 2025 World 50 Impact Awards for its groundbreaking Voice-enabled Makeup Assistant (VMA).