The always-busy Petroleum Museum is at its busiest this fall as the institution pushes into the last stages of obtaining funding for a prized project. Already showing itself to be an innovator and leader in education of children, the Museum now seeks to build a new STEM Education Center on the Museum’s grounds. (STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.)
According to Museum personnel, the 8,000-square-foot building will house a larger education classroom (than its current space), workspace for education staff, much needed additional storage, and a “science” kitchen. With this larger space, the Museum will be able to double the number of its educational programs for children while continuing to create a fun, inspiring workspace for students in the Permian Basin.
In 2006, the Petroleum Museum held its grand opening for a new Education Hall. This room served as the hub for inspiration, creativity, and learning for students across the Permian Basin who avail themselves of the Museum’s educational programming. Since 2006, programs have included Camp-Ins for local boy and girl scouts, Family Science Nights, Summer Science Classes, and Movie Camps. The Education Hall houses supplies for these programs as well as the Museum’s educational outreach programs. The room also houses the Museum’s Critter Corner. The Critter Corner—described as “fascinating” by many of those who’ve seen it—is a collection of live animals that help teach students and adults about animal classifications, adaptations, ecosystems, and more. The Education Hall has served as the foundation for every educational program the Museum has offered over the years.
But the Education Hall has reached its capacity, and the need exists for more programs and room for more students.
With the continued use of the current Education Hall plus the new STEM Education Center, the Museum will be reaching more students throughout the Permian Basin and supporting future generations. This new space will also offer the ability to continue and increase collaborations with Permian Basin schools.
The Museum’s current programs based from the Education Hall include Building Bots: Robotics & Engineering FunLabs, STEAM Sprouts, Connect 2 STEM, STEM Gems, Summer Science Camps, Movie Maker Mondays, Family Science Nights, Outreach Programs, Teacher Professional Development, Teacher Trunks, STEM Class & Tours, and Guided School & Group Museum Tours. Many of these programs target STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education from children ages 4-15. The Museum currently impacts more than 20,000 people each year through education programs and events. With the STEM Education Center, the Museum will be able to reach even more visitors.
Museum personnel expressed thanks to the generous support of the Scharbauer Foundation, the FMH Foundation, the Mabee Foundation, the Abell-Hanger Foundation, the Wayne and JoAnn Moore Charitable Foundation, Concho Resources, Inc., Pioneer Natural Resources, and many other donors. With their help, the Museum has raised 90 percent of the funds needed for its much-needed addition. With added support, the institution could begin construction as early as January 2021. No gift is too small, according to organizers.
Contact Luanne Thornton at lthornton@petroleummuseum.org at 432-683-4403 for more information about donating to the STEM Education Center.