Aramco researchers judge STEM competition
Joining the Galena Park ISD STEM Squad of educators to judge the First Galena Park ISD STEM Competition was Rostyslav Dolog and Stanislav Shelduko from the Aramco Research Center-Houston (green shirts).
The workforce of the future is calling for skilled workers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Aramco is participating in programs designed to inspire, educate, and provide resources for hands-on application in these fields. From elementary school to college campuses, Aramco is actively taking part in STEM initiatives across the U.S.
Recently, researchers Rostyslav Dolog and Stanislav Shelduko from Aramco’s research center in Houston were invited to serve as judges for the inaugural Galena Park ISD STEM Competition. Aramco supported the competition as an outgrowth of its partnership with Galena Park ISD and its participation in the Aramco iExplore program hosted by the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
All 15 elementary schools from the district participated in the competition designed for grades third through fifth. Research studies show students are more likely to pursue STEM majors at universities and colleges if introduced to the topics at an early age.
The GPISD Elementary STEM Competition consisted of a series of challenges in three STEM categories: Science & Engineering, Coding, and Math.
Dolog explained that in the Math category teams comprised of six students were given timed challenges, each progressively more difficult.
For the Coding category, teams used a Sphero indi robot, which is a screenless coding robot car, that teaches basic coding and computational thinking skills through color tiles and blocks.
“Points were awarded for successfully completing the challenges and additional points were awarded for teamwork,” said Dolog. “The event really encouraged creativity and taking a teamwork approach to solving complex tasks.”
Dozens of awards were earned by teams for first, second, and third place in each category with Williamson Elementary School winning the overall competition.
“Judging the Galena Park ISD STEM competition, alongside Aramco volunteers, was a fantastic way to further support science education in our local community,” said Kathleen Havens, director of curriculum and content, Houston Museum of Natural Science. Havens collaborated with Aramco in developing its Aramco iExplore program.
Event organizers Tiffany Benitez, district elementary science specialist and Laurie Crockett, director of elementary math and science, Galena Park ISD, are both STEM champions and have attended the Aramco iExplore program. They use the program to supplement their classroom teaching and support the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards.
