Aramco’s iExplore kicks off at HMNS
Science teachers take part in a full day workshop and have fun touring the museum to prepare for the field trip day.
Aramco’s iExplore program, formed in partnership with the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS), kicked off the 2025-2026 school year with teachers from Galena Park Independent School District (ISD) attending a full-day workshop early August.
iExplore is an immersive, hands-on environmental education program to teach fifth grade students about biodiversity concepts and careers. The program begins with teachers from Galena Park ISD certified/recertified to teach the curriculum, followed by student field trips to HMNS. The specially crafted curriculum set against the museum backdrop has proven to be a powerful learning experience.
What started 13 years ago with one district, three teachers and 50 students, has expanded to over 70 teachers and a reach of 2,200 students, annually.
In addition to receiving continuing education credits for attending the full-day training, teachers come away inspired and empowered plus receive materials they can bring back to their classrooms to supplement their curricula.
Connecting students and nature
During the Fall semester, students from Galena Park ISD spent an entire day visiting the museum and participating in immersive activities, such as live animal presentations and exploring the structures of a rainforest.
Armed with a workbook jointly developed by Aramco and HMNS, students tour the exhibit halls with content related to biodiversity, including the Morian Hall of Paleontology, Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife, Hamman Hall of Texas Coastal Ecology, Frensley/Graham Hall of African Wildlife, Cockrell Butterfly Center, and The Brown Hall of Entomology.
As part of iExplore, students also benefit from digital assets and supplemental curriculum featuring hands-on activities to extend learning about biodiversity beyond the field trip.
The curriculum involves pre-tests and post-tests that gauge student attitudes toward science and their understanding of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) subjects covered in the program.
iExplore is an immersive, hands-on environmental education program to teach fifth grade students about biodiversity concepts and careers. The program begins with teachers from Galena Park ISD certified/recertified to teach the curriculum, followed by student field trips to HMNS.
Impacting students and teachers in a big way
Research shows that fifth grade is the critical time to connect with students and increase their interest and comprehension of complex science topics.
According to HMNS’ director of curriculum and content, Kathleen Havens, the partnership ensures that children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to visit a world-class museum can experience transformative STEM learning that nurtures the whole child: intellectually, socially, and emotionally.
“These experiences allow students to develop not just scientific knowledge, but the critical thinking and environmental consciousness essential for becoming tomorrow's innovators and stewards of our planet,” she said.
Havens added that students who participate in iExplore perform, on average, approximately 17 percent better on the Texas standardized science test (STAAR) than their peers who do not.
Teachers benefit from iExplore, too. In addition to receiving continuing education credits for attending the full-day training, teachers come away inspired and empowered plus receive materials they can bring back to their classrooms to supplement their curricula.
“The learning opportunity offered by HMNS, combined with the rigorous iExplore curriculum and the dedication of our exceptional teachers, have positioned our 5th graders on a more level playing field with surrounding districts,” said Tiffany Benitez, district science specialist, Galena Park ISD.
Houston’s leading STEM education center
HMNS is one of the nation’s most heavily attended museums and the leading STEM education center in Houston. Over half a million school children annually visit HMNS’ four floors of permanent exhibit halls, the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre, Cockrell Butterfly Center, Burke Baker Planetarium and George Observatory.
