Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP said it provided 4,250 local middle school students access to science, technology, engineering, and math activities this year through its sponsorship of the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering Trailblazer program.
 
By Nov. 16, the initiative will have reached 13 southeast Texas schools near company facilities in Baytown, Orange, Pasadena, and Sweeny with two Trailblazers filled with STEM activities. 
 
“The TAME Trailblazer is a terrific way to support students’ interests in STEM education using innovative experiments and displays,” said Roy Watson, workforce development and training manager at Chevron Phillips Chemical. “The petrochemical industry is full of job opportunities, many of which are tied to STEM-related fields. The Trailblazer allows students to discover whether or not a STEM education might be a good fit for them and their career aspirations.”

Chevron Phillips Chemical has sponsored the TAME Trailblazer since 2014, and this year will host its largest number of visits to students in the area. TAME Trailblazers consist of two 40-foot long trailers serving as interactive, mobile education units that offer hands-on STEM exhibits. Students spend about 50 minutes in the TAME Trailblazer, rotating between five museum-like stations offering activities and experiments about space, energy, weather, biotechnology, and aerodynamics. The nonprofit’s mission is to encourage women and minority students to pursue STEM careers.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in science and engineering occupations will grow by 18.7 percent during the period 2010-2020, compared to 14.3 percent for all occupations. TAME aims to close this gap through programs like the Trailblazer. The initiative’s focus is to create a strong, diverse workforce by connecting Texas students to STEM concepts and related real-life educational and career opportunities.