Permian Strategic Partnership: Amplifying Impact Through Collaboration

By Lily Baughan

April 25, 2024

Partnerships are crucial to furthering the mission of our Foundation as they enhance our ability to achieve our goals and amplify our impact. Through collaboration, we pool our strengths, leading to innovative solutions, elevated program outcomes, and increased funding opportunities. Our partnership with the Permian Strategic Partnership (PSP) has been vital for the growth, resilience, and success of our STEM programming in the Permian Basin. Thanks to the dedication of PSP led by CEO and Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Board member Tracee Bentley, we have made great strides in spreading STEM education to underserved youth across the country.

As a part of a five-year, $7.5 million partnership with PSP, spanning 2022-2026, we will install 134 STEM Centers in every elementary school across the Permian Basin. This project covers 75,000 square miles in 22 counties in West Texas and New Mexico, impacting over 60,000 students.

Bentley spoke at the Pease Elementary STEM Center Ribbon Cutting ceremony in 2022, highlighting the importance of our partnership. “Thanks to this collaboration, we can bring world-class instruction and educational resources to the students in the Permian Basin. Through project-based learning, students can apply what they’re learning in the classroom to real-world problems. It will not only teach them problem-solving skills, but also help them grow in learning, teamwork, successful communication, creativity, leadership and entrepreneurship,” said Bentley.

Thanks to this partnership, we also hosted our first STEM Summit at Odessa College in 2023. This event brought together over 80 experts, industry leaders, and educators to promote collaboration, innovation, and educational opportunities in the Permian Basin. The Summit aimed to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals, strengthening the region’s workforce, and fostering economic growth through technological advancements and educational initiatives. The Summit featured keynote speakers and panel discussions and provided educators with the opportunity to participate in workshops on various STEM disciplines and emerging technologies. These workshops also emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion in STEM fields and facilitated networking and partnership opportunities. Due to the success of the event, we will host another STEM Summit in 2025 in partnership with PSP.

There is an urgent national priority to transform STEM learning and engagement to meet the nation’s need for a STEM-skilled workforce. To prepare youth in the Permian Basin for this growing market, we are creating 10 new lessons surrounding the oil and gas industry. Understanding these new STEM concepts can lead to innovative solutions and advancements within the industry. “The Permian Basin generates and sustains hundreds of thousands of jobs annually, supporting families and local businesses and driving economic growth across New Mexico and Texas. As a result, our region's education and workforce development needs are also growing,” said Bentley. Through our PSP-sponsored STEM initiative, we are better preparing youth to enter a dynamic industry and equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate and influence a critical sector.

In today’s rapidly evolving world, the role of education in shaping future leaders and innovators cannot be overstated. “The Permian Strategic Partnership believes in the power of education to transform lives and communities. Through our partnership with the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, we are empowering our community’s youth to apply science, technology, engineering, and math STEM skills and knowledge to develop innovative solutions and gain real-world experiences, ensuring their success upon graduation,” said Bentley. She continued, “We are proud to partner with the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation to help meet the needs of our community. Together, we are supporting students’ future success and contributing to our region's economic vitality.”