HAMMOND – The Northshore STEM Coalition and STEM NOLA have joined forces with Chevron’s Gulf of Mexico Business Unit and TIES, an organization focused on building meaningful partnerships that help to address opportunity gaps in education, to launch Chevron: Fueling Math. Both the Northshore STEM Coalition and STEM NOLA are members of TIES’ STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice, a network of 94 Ecosystems operating worldwide.
Chevron: Fueling Math was developed with input from dozens of educators, families and community leaders and made possible through $75,000 in funding from Chevron. Imagine Learning is also providing support for the initiative.
The program will work to raise the public’s understanding of the role math plays in everyday lives, develop a team of volunteers to mentor and tutor local middle school students and provide meaningful learning opportunities to spark students’ interest in math.
Led by Southeastern Louisiana University and Northshore Technical Community College, Northshore STEM Coalition increases community awareness and interest in STEM by promoting and creating STEM events and supporting out-of-school programs in the Northshore region.
“Chevron: Fueling Math is the ideal solution for providing direct support to students, teachers and families, while also introducing students to professionals who can serve as role models,” said Wendy Conarro, co-chair of the Northshore STEM Coalition.
In addition to a public awareness campaign, Chevron: Fueling Math will host various events to raise awareness about the importance of math and get students excited about the subject. For more information, visit fuelingmath.org. The program begins with a virtual kickoff on Saturday, Feb. 6, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., during which students will learn to make a Mardi Gras greeting card, guided by NASA System Quality Engineer Renee Horton. Interested families can register for the event at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lheLh9n-QzWtXh4HTD_Wzw.
A Math Corps, made up of volunteers who will tutor and mentor area middle school students, will also be formed in virtual settings. STEM professionals from across the region are encouraged to join the Math Corps to share information about the role that math has played in their lives. To volunteer for the program, complete the questionnaire at fuelingmath.org/volunteer-form/.
“When students meet someone who not only excels in math, but also uses it in their career, they start thinking about STEM professions they could pursue,” said Caitlin Hunter, community engagement specialist for Chevron’s Gulf of Mexico Business Unit. “We have a unique opportunity and responsibility to help students enhance their math skills and begin building their confidence in the subject. At Chevron, we are committed to investing in valuable programs like this one that promote STEM education and foster a passion for learning. We’re glad to be a part of it.”
Once the Math Corps is formed, students will be invited to join online math tutoring and mentoring sessions during which they will work on specific math challenges to improve skills.
For more information about Chevron: Fueling Math, visit fuelingmath.org. To register a student mentee for the program, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lheLh9n-QzWtXh4HTD_Wzw.
