The Ripken Foundation partnered with BP Energy, ConocoPhillips, Devon Energy, Marathon Oil, Repsol, Gulftex Energy, and Verdun Oil Company to install a brand new STEM Center at Karnes City Elementary in Texas. This newly established center will encourage youth to hone their critical thinking and problem solving skills, as well as prepare them for future academic and career success.
The Ribbon Cutting celebration was attended by many Karnes City Elementary admin and staff, including: Superintendent Katherine Kuenstler, Principal Jennifer Foster, Assistant Principal Mackenzie Allen, School Board President Debbie Witte, Secretary Melissa Padron, and Trustee Melanie Johnson. 
Staff were excited to check out the Center and test out all of the educational STEM products. "We are thrilled to welcome this incredible resource to our school. It represents a tremendous opportunity for our students to explore STEM fields and develop skills that will benefit them throughout their lives," said Kuenstler. Foster echoed this sentiment, stating "The opening of this STEM Center is a dream come true for our students and staff. We are grateful to the Ripken Foundation and our generous sponsors for making this possible. It's an investment in our children's future."
Each Ripken STEM Center comes fully-equipped with the latest STEM education tools and technology, Ripken Foundation curricula, and furniture. "This STEM Center creates a fun and interactive space to spark students' curiosity and enhance their understanding of STEM subjects outside of the traditional classroom," continued Foster. Youth with have the ability to interact with innovative learning equipment like 3D printers, Sphero Bolts, and Ozobots, which teach STEM concepts in a fun and engaging way.
Read more about this project in articles from South Texas News and Karnes City Elementary. To learn more about our STEM Center initiative, click here.