Baylor, Hess Toy Truck partner on new free STEM initiative
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Baylor College of Medicine and Hess Corporation are partnering to offer a free STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education curriculum for schools nationwide. Hess and Baylor are making 500 Hess Toy Truck STEM kits available for free. Each kit includes a teacher’s manual with student activity sheets and 10 2016 Hess Toy Truck and Dragsters.
The new curriculum uses the best-selling toy as a learning tool, enabling educators to introduce STEM concepts through engaging play. Baylor’s Center for Educational Outreach created the teacher’s manual, which provides lessons using the truck and dragster to teach key STEM concepts of friction, velocity, sound generation, energy transfer, and measurements of speed, distance, mass and weight.
Any actively employed teacher at a verifiable grade level school can apply for the kit at no cost. Recommended grades are fourth through sixth but the curriculum can be adjusted for both older and younger grades. The short application process will be open through March 31, 2017. Kits will be prioritized to the first submission per school, district or state and by grade level if demand exceeds supply. Hess Toy Truck officials will review applications and ship kits to classrooms in April.
The teacher’s manual also is available to download for free here for families who already own the 2016 Hess Toy Truck and Dragster to learn STEM lessons at home.
“The Center for Educational Outreach is a true partner to our Houston communities by providing resources for science and health education. STEM activities are fun and educational, and we are excited to partner with Hess on this curriculum and extend science resources to the entire country,” said Dr. Nancy Moreno, associate provost of faculty development and institutional research at Baylor.
“Hess partners with community groups and stakeholders annually to develop programs that make a measureable and sustainable difference. Hess also donates thousands of toy trucks each year to children and communities in need. This new STEM partnership with Baylor College of Medicine is a natural extension of our Hess Toy Truck donation program and fits with Hess’ desire to equip the future with an army of problem solvers that can overcome complex challenges,” said Justin Mayer, Hess Toy Truck general manager.
