BEAUMONT, Texas — A Beaumont organization is teaming up with ExxonMobil to bring a new STEM program to students at Beaumont Independent School District.
"We've got to stop the deterioration in our communities that's starting with our kids,” said Vernon Durden, President Emeritus of 100 Black Men of Greater Beaumont.
100 Black Men of Greater Beaumont and the ExxonMobil foundation have a $50,000 vision for Beaumont's youth.
"BISD is the engine that drives the economy,” Durden said.
The two organizations are launching a new STEM youth mentoring program for 50 Beaumont students at Pietzsch-MacArthur Middle School and King Middle School.
“This is a great opportunity for us to not only follow them from ninth to twelfth, but from sixth to twelfth and on into college,” said Durden.
BISD STEM Coordinator Lachandra Cobb-Eaglin says the group of sixth graders were chosen for their interest in STEM and their performance in the classroom.
"Their criteria were looking at their grades, attendance and their behavior. And of course, teacher recommendations. It's going to be happening on each one of the campuses during the day,” said Cobb-Eaglin.
ExxonMobil's Matt Gully says this will expand on the district's existing STEM program.
"We're talking 11 to 13-year-old kids who are wanting to learn about STEM. Wanting to learn more about the world around them,” said Gully.
The $50,000 investment will go towards the extensive curriculum, field trips and even a special project you'd have to "sea" to believe.
"It's a project called "SeaPerch". It's kind of an underwater robot that throughout the course of the mentorship program, kids will be building parts of it each week. I’m really excited about this program!” Gully said.
The mentorship program's first semester will begin at the end of this month.