A STEM-ulating Experience!
For the second year in a row, thousands of students, parents, and presenters accepted the invitation to “come fall in love with STEM” at the 2nd Annual Beaumont ISD-ExxonMobil Family STEM Night. Held on October 30, 2024, the free event attracted between 4 and 5 thousand attendees who formed a long line outside of Doggett Ford Park before doors opened at 5 p.m.
Guests were greeted with upbeat music from a DJ who was center stage in the arena. Because of the crowd size last year (an estimated 3000 attendees), organizers doubled the space used this year. BISD STEM Coordinator LaChandra Cobb-Eaglin expressed that the three-and-a-half hour long event was ideal for the entire family. “It’s for the parents to also see the career pathways that their students have,” she explained. “It’s important because it’s our future. It’s important to have innovation for tomorrow’s problems. If we can start targeting on those now, it'll be better for them and [help them] for what’s coming next.”
The event received extensive coverage from Beaumont television media. In an interview with 12News, 6th grader Laidley Thompson said, "I think it's cool, the people who organized this encouraged everyone to come here and learn about future careers.”
In addition to exhibits and activities provided by Beaumont ISD schools and ExxonMobil, organizers were particularly thrilled with NASA participation. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration allowed guests to get an up close view of actual rocks from the moon.
Among the night’s highlights was the presentation of a $45,000 check to be shared among the campuses of Amelia Elementary, Charlton-Pollard Elementary, Pietzsch-MacArthur PreK-8th Grade Center, Vincent Middle School, Beaumont Early College High School, Beaumont United High School, and West Brook High School. The funds are to be used for STEM related activities and was donated to the campuses closest to ExxonMobil facilities. ExxonMobil Beaumont Complex Manager Mike Mustian called BISD a wonderful partner. “They're focused on developing the next generation and that's what we're focused on as well. We need top talent here from the local community to ensure that we can run the plant safely and reliably for many years to come," said Mustian. BISD Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Shannon Allen had high hopes for the night and for the future. "We want to set that spark and hopefully tonight will do that," she said.
BISD thanks these participants for helping make the 2nd Annual Family STEM Night a huge success:
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Activity |
Campus or Vendor Name |
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Caldwood Elementary |
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Homer |
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Curtis |
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Dishman |
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Regina-Howell |
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Guess Elem |
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Martin |
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Fletcher |
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Blanchette |
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Amelia |
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VEX Go Robots and Field |
Pietzsch-MacArthur |
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VEX123 Robots and Field |
Bingman |
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Charlton-Pollard |
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School Choice/3rd Future-Fehl Price |
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Middle School Activtiy |
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Projectile Launcher |
Marshall- Makerspace |
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Ice Cream |
Marshall-Gateway |
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Coding, Programming (tentative) |
Marshall-Principle of Engineering |
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Air Racer |
Odom-Makerspace |
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Swish |
Odom- Robotics |
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Electromagnet Crane |
Odom- Extra Choice |
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Rubber Band Racer |
P-Mac-Makerspace |
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Navigate the Maze w/remote |
P-Mac- Robotics |
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Drones - Flight Test / |
Vincent- Drones |
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Breaking Bridges |
Vincent-Makerspace |
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Tug a War |
Vincent- Robotics |
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School Choice/3rd Future-Smith Middle |
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High School Activity |
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Rocket Launcher(s) |
Beaumont United-Engineering-POE |
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Team Freeze Tag |
Beaumont United- Robotics |
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3D Printing |
Beaumont United- Engineering-IED |
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Game Design |
Beaumont United Computer Science |
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Robotics Club |
Early College High School |
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3D Printing |
West Brook- Engineering-POE |
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3D Printing |
West Brook- Engineering-IED |
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Robot writing/art |
West Brook-Robotics |
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Advanced Rubberband Racer |
Paul Brown |
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Classroom VRs |
Career Center- Engineering |
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STEM Sports |
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Lui |
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STEM Sports Soccer |
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STEM Sports Basketball/Mobile Hoops |
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STEM Sports Volleyball |
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Community Vendors |
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409 Energy Scholars/VR headsets/more |
ExxonMobil |
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Fingerprinting activities. |
Lamar Institute of Technology-Public Service and Safety Department |
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Marshmallow catapult |
Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council |
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Robotics and other Stem Activities |
Beaumont Children's Museum |
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To be determined |
Lamar University College of Engineering |
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An oil spill demonstration |
Texas General Land Office Oil Spill Division |
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Jenga Trivia Game |
Lamar Institute of Technology-Recruitment Team |
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Will provide information about or department and have handouts |
LIT BSTC |
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Interactive Math activity |
LIT General Education |
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Coding and Robotics for children from 7-17. |
Code Wiz Beaumont |
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Coding and Robotics |
Code Wiz Beaumont |
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Life science: "Who Am I?" challenge... |
Sabine-Neches Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist |
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Computer drafting software from students to explore and try out. |
LIT Technology Dept. Computer Drafting |
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US Army |
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US Navy Beaumont recruiting center promoting career fields that align with STEM |
UNITED STATES NAVY |
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WildSTEM Activity- Stem in the Wild |
Golden Triangle Chapter- The Links, Incorporated |
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VR Headsets so the students can experience some of our careers |
Army National Guard |
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Golden Triangle Chapter of The Links, Incorporated |
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Youth Summer Swim Team |
409 SWIM |
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Bag toss/ cornhole |
Houston Circle of Hope, Mental Health and Wellness |
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STEMSports |
Mobile Hoops |
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Information about Legacy Community Health and connecting families to healthcare |
Legacy Community Health |
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Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center |
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Remotely Operated Vehicle/submersible robot |
100 Black Men of Greater Beaumont |
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NEED FOR SPEED! Miniature model Radio-controlled cars |
GT-TAME (Golden Triangle - Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering) |
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Interactive game that shows participants how to safely use electricity. |
Entergy Texas |
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Helicopter |
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office |
