SULPHUR, La. – Nov. 9, 2018 – CITGO Lake Charles along with Calcasieu Parish fifth-grade students celebrated National STEM Day on Nov. 8, 2018 at the West-Cal Events Center.
During the event, students engaged in an exciting engineering design challenge created by McNeese State University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science. Attendees also participated in hands-on STEM activities followed by a sit-down dinner and program to name the challenge winner and the CITGO STEM Teacher of the Year.
CITGO recognized local teachers who displayed exemplary effort, dedication, talents and contributions in strengthening and implementing STEM education in Southwest Louisiana. Kindergarten teacher, Jason McGee, of College Oaks Elementary, was named the CITGO STEM Teacher of the Year. McGee received a $250 gift certificate from National School Supply, as well as the opportunity to sail on the Ocean Exploration Trust E/V Nautilus as a CITGO Ambassador during a 2019 expedition.
“CITGO continues to advocate for STEM education programs in Southwest Louisiana, and events like this show students our excitement for their future as they enter the workforce. I was inspired to see the students’ innovative creations and their enthusiasm for STEM projects and education,” said Jerry Dunn, Vice President and General Manager of the CITGO Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex.
The CITGO MSU College of Engineering and Computer Science Design Challenge included ten teams from across Calcasieu Parish showcasing and demonstrating their very own creation which consisted of the design, construction and racing of a dragster solely powered by the energy of a CO2 (carbon dioxide) cartridge. Judges were faced with the difficult task of ranking the teams based on project comprehension, quality of printed and oral presentations and the team’s race time. Overall design challenge champions, The Innovative Twisters from E.K. Key Elementary, was awarded Ozobots for each student, while, Bronco STEM Squad from Moss Bluff Elementary, was awarded People’s Choice and received Kindle Fires for each student.
CITGO launched the CITGO STEM Talent Pipeline program in 2016; a company-wide initiative to partner with educational organizations within our communities to increase access to opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The program highlights the numerous pathways to rewarding careers, including those in the energy industry. It provides grants to schools and educational organizations to support programs that increase student interest, retention and graduation rates – particularly at the high school and post-secondary levels – and those that prepare students for STEM technical and university level curriculum. The program also provides scholarships for students pursuing higher degrees in STEM fields. To date, the CITGO STEM Talent Pipeline has already benefited more than 35,000 students and educators across the CITGO operational footprint, strengthening the communities where the company has a presence.
About CITGO
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry with a well-known brand. CITGO operates three refineries located in Corpus Christi, Texas; Lake Charles, La.; and Lemont, Ill., and wholly and/or jointly owns 48 terminals, nine pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,400 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 749,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO is ranked as the sixth-largest, and one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products and supplies a network of approximately 5,200 locally owned and operated branded retail outlets in 30 states and the District of Columbia. CITGO Petroleum Corporation is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
For more information, visit www.CITGO.com