The activity kits are targeted toward science, technology, engineering, art and math learning and were given to Nederland, Port Neches-Groves and Bridge City ISDs' third and fourth grade teachers to use in their classrooms, according to a news release.
The Beaumont Children's Museum and Indorama began a partnership in late 2021 to increase their impact of STEAM education and recycling initiatives in Southeast Texas.
"High-quality K-12 curriculum and tools help improve science proficiency levels, increases knowledge retention and promotes an interest and deeper understanding in these technical disciplines," said Indorama Ventures-Port Neches Operations Site Manager Kim Hoyt in the release. "STEAM education and interest are critical to sustaining the refining and petrochemical metropolis we all benefit from (in) Region 5."
The two organizations held their inaugural "Fish-O-Rama" Fishing Tournament and Captain's Dinner in July, which brought together 170 fishing teams and more than 1,000 guests to the dinner, raising more than $450,000.
With the funds, the museum and petrochemical company decided to give back to the community.
"Currently, each of these districts give access to the STEMscopes curriculum to their teachers to use in their classroom," the release said. "To alleviate the burden of teachers finding ways to purchase the needed supplies for these lessons (the museum) and Indorama have purchased the tool kits, hands-on kits and consumable kits for the educators to be successful while using this curriculum."
The partnership's long-term goal is to assist other area districts with needed science, technology, engineering, art and math resources.
In addition to the kits, the two organizations created a STEAM-geared grant application, which is open to all K-12 educators within Region 5.
Educators can apply for a grant, worth up to $5,000 in funds, to help enhance their already existing STEAM education lessons with more tools and resources, the release said.
A total of $50,000 has been reserved to help fulfill as many grants as possible that will be awarded in 2023.
The grant application is open and available online at beaumontchildrensmuseum.org and will close at 5 p.m. Jan. 13.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with Indorama Ventures through the efforts to support the needs of school districts in the region that we both serve," said Beaumont Children's Museum Executive Director Amanda Yarbrough in the release. "The museum works with many of these schools and educators throughout the year and we hear about the needs in the classrooms. We know that these STEMscope kits and STEAM grants will help enhance the classroom and support many of our communities' teachers."
For more information, contact Yarbrough at 409-347-7919 or amanda@beaumontchildrensmuseum.org, as well as Jodi Green at Indorama Ventures at 409-718-7723 or jodi.green@us.indorama.net.
©2022 the Beaumont Enterprise (Beaumont, Texas). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
