Aramco’s popular iExplore STEM program kicks off

Aramco's iExplore biodiversity program in partnership with the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) kicked off for the 2022-2023 school year with local area teachers attending a full day workshop.  

Fifth grade science teachers from the Galena Park ISD previewed the curriculum and received classroom materials to supplement their teaching and support the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards. The program, which started nine years ago with three teachers and 50 students, has now expanded to 90 teachers reaching 2,000 students.

Teachers seek out new resources, experiences for STEM education

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. “Aramco and the HMNS have been a positive influence on our instructional program.”

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 5th grade science level is a critical time to connect with students to increase their interest and comprehension of complex science topics. It is also a critical time for students taking the STAAR test, which shows whether a student has mastered specific knowledge of a core subject at a certain grade level.

“It has been a great partnership that has grown in popularity,” said Havens. “Aramco's culture and commitment to preserve and protect ecological habitats with our museum's ability to show students different ecosystems and the interconnectedness of nature is a great combination.”

Connecting students at an early age

In the Fall, students visit the museum for a full day field trip that includes a tour of the various exhibit halls with content related to biodiversity, including:  The Morian Hall of Paleontology, The Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife, The Hamman Hall of Texas Coastal Ecology and the Frensley/Graham Hall of African Wildlife as well as The Cockrell Butterfly Center and The Brown Hall of Entomology.

Students get to see and interact with animals through the 'Wildlife on Wheels' portion of the field trip to see how species behavior relates to different concepts such as adaptation.

While the program began as a Houston-based educational program with one school district, a virtual training will be 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 be used to enhance your trip to the museum.  The workbook is accessible online and can be downloaded for those who want to take advantage of the resource.  Visit the the HMNS website for more information.   

“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.”