Partnerships enrich classroom experience
Hundreds of thousands of students headed back to school this fall and two unique partnerships are bringing STEM education into the classroom.
Aramco’s popular iExplore program with HMNS Aramco’s iExplore biodiversity program in partnership with the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) kicked off with fifth-grade science teachers from Galena Park ISD previewing the curriculum and receiving classroom materials. The program, started nine years ago with three teachers and 50 students, has expanded to 90 teachers reaching nearly 2,000 students within the district.
Teachers seek out new resources, experiences for STEM Jacqueline Moreno, Director of Elementary Math and Science, Galena Park ISD, has been an advocate for the program since its inception. “I am always seeking out opportunities to expose our students to new experiences in math and science to bring excitement, new approaches, and more resources to hook them into the field of STEM,” said Moreno.
According to Kathleen Havens, Director, Curriculum and Content, HMNS, the Aramco iExplore program is tailored for elementary students—third through fifth grade—with studies showing that the fifth-grade science level is a critical time to connect with students to increase their interest and comprehension of complex science topics.
“It has been a great partnership that has grown in popularity with our museum’s ability to show students different ecosystems and the interconnectedness of nature,” said Havens.
Connecting students at an early age
Students visit the museum for a full day field trip that includes a tour of the various exhibit halls with content related to biodiversity.
While the program began as a Houston-based educational program with one school district, a virtual training is available to teachers from any district. Those who attend will receive digital materials developed for the iExplore program. The guided workbook is available to all educators and families on the museum’s website and can enhance your trip to the museum. The workbook is accessible online. Visit the Aramco iExplore Biodiversity page on the HMNS website.
“The program’s impact to connect students at an early age with science and how the overall health of ecosystems contribute to a healthy planet was the motivation for us to start iExplore nearly a decade ago,” said Rania Biltagi, Director of Public Affairs, Aramco Americas. “It’s great to see it has grown in scope with the materials available to teachers throughout the U.S.”
G-Camp field experience has built a dedicated following Investing in professional development for science teachers, Texas A&M University hosts an annual geology camp, known as G-Camp. The program was founded in 2007 and Aramco Americas has been a supporter for more than a decade. Teachers from around the U.S. apply to participate. Andrew Silver, Geological Specialist & Data Scientist, Aramco Americas Upstream, participated in the camp this year supporting Texas A&M professors by delivering lessons, mentoring field studies, and connecting the relevance of academic learnings to real-world business and social impacts.
Sites in Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico were visited to experience and see first-hand various geologic processes and a variety of rock formations. Teachers also visited an underground gold/silver mine and learned how to sample and monitor surface water in streams.
G-Camp teachers inspire students
“G-Camp teachers influence tens of thousands of students each year, inspiring many of them to enter STEM careers,” said Silver.
This year’s G-Camp class included 20 middle and high school science teachers from 11 states across the U.S. An active online social media community of G-Camp attendees was formed through Facebook.
To date, G-Camp has impacted more than 490,000 students since the program’s inception, estimates Dr. Rick Giardino, professor, Geology & Geophysics, Texas A&M University and G-Camp founder. “Participating teachers consistently rank G-Camp as one of the most impactful professional development programs of their careers,” he said. Visit the Texas A&M website to learn more.