Baker Hughes, Tomball ISD, TEDC Celebrate STEM Program Graduates
Baker Hughes welcomed 27 eighth-grade students from Grand Lakes Junior High on May 1 for a graduation ceremony celebrating the completion of a collaborative STEM experience. The semester-long program offered students the opportunity to partner with Baker Hughes employees to participate in hands-on activities, study cutting-edge technologies, and explore STEM careers.
“We appreciate the partnership with Baker Hughes. The experiences we have been able to showcase to our students are amazing. The class looks forward to our visits with Baker Hughes and I look forward to continuing this program,” said Cassie Ord, Grand Lakes Junior High Career & Technical Education Teacher.
“It’s incredibly important for our kids to participate in this program. Without hands-on experiences, they can’t truly discover what career paths are available to them. The opportunity to learn from professionals in fields they enjoy empowers our students,” added Dr. Kim McKinney, Grand Lakes Junior High Principal. “The more that we can teach our students about the features of STEM, the more successful that they are going to be.”
The day at Baker Hughes’ Houston Technology Center featured a hydraulic design activity and challenge, facility tours, and remarks from Baker Hughes personnel to inspire the program graduates. Baker Hughes employees interacted with the students, showcasing their modern technology and innovative oil & gas solutions. The outreach is part of an effort by the company and its Asian Pacific American Forum (APAF) employee resource group to coach the next generation of STEM professionals.
“Congratulations on graduation. This is a big deal. STEM can take you anywhere you want to go,” offered Ross Mitchell, Baker Hughes Region Segment Director for Product Solutions during his keynote address to the students. “Define what you want work to mean to you. If you can do that, you will answer a lot of questions throughout your career.”
“We are so proud of what you have accomplished. This has been a rewarding experience for the entire Baker Hughes team. Your engagement motivates and inspires us,” offered Raj Sen, co-lead of Baker Hughes APAF’s community outreach efforts.
The Tomball Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) helped coordinate initial efforts between Baker Hughes and Tomball ISD. TEDC has a strategic goal to further develop workforce initiatives through industry and academic collaboration.
“The partnership between Baker Hughes and Tomball ISD showcases the positive impact industry has in developing our future workforce. These students are gaining invaluable knowledge about the future of STEM. I am excited to see how this collaboration inspires students to pursue innovative careers like the ones at Baker Hughes,” said Tiffani Wooten, TEDC Assistant Director.
Source: Tomball ISD
