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Middle school girls learn first-hand from ExxonMobil engineers what it takes to solve problems
Eighth-grader Ashely Guillory didn’t know what to expect during her field trip to the Beaumont Jefferson Theatre. However, she was fascinated to discover a temporary science lab taking center stage inside the historic Old Spanish-style performing arts theater. “I found it interesting to learn about distillation and to see the mini model on how it works,” says Guillory. Guillory was one of 90 girls selected to participate in ExxonMobil’s annual Introduce A Girl to Engineering event attended by eighth-grade girls from all six Beaumont Independent School District middle schools. “I also found out by doing some of these experiments how engineers are helping shape the environment we live in and that engineers don’t just pump oil out of the ground but also help find ways to make our lives and the environment better,” says Guillory. About 40 Beaumont-area ExxonMobil employees volunteered during the event to help the girls make their own slingshot rockets, aluminum foil rafts, homemade lip balm and more. The fun activities allowed the students to also make critical connections based on the fundamentals of physics, chemistry and physical science. “We hope to generate interest and excitement today. Experience shows us that developing enthusiasm at this age greatly helps with raising confidence levels to pursue engineering,” says Fernando Salazar,
ExxonMobil’s Beaumont refinery manager. Salazar participated in the slingshot rocket experiment and other activities alongside volunteers and students. “We want students to know that being an engineer means collaborating and being creative to solve problems that can help make people’s lives better,” says Salazar. Solving problems to help improve people’s lives is one of the things Beaumont’s Blending and Packaging plant manager Julius Bedford finds rewarding about his work. “This event makes science fun and it gives these students the opportunity to interact with women who’ve found success in the engineering field. That interface can make a powerful impact and broaden their perspective of what they can accomplish,” says Bedford. Encouraging more girls to pursue a career in engineering is one of the reasons why ExxonMobil chemical engineer Anne Cooper decided to volunteer at the event. “I want to set an example and be a role model for these girls and demonstrate that they too can become engineers. I’ve witnessed a lot of enthusiasm today from these girls so that’s encouraging,” says Cooper. “I really think it’s been cool to see all of these experiments and to know there are a lot of different engineers out there. It’s made me think of possibly becoming an engineer,” says Guillory.
(Left) Introduce a Girl to Engineering event: Student makes lip balm, one of the several experiments during the event. (Right) Introduce a Girl to Engineering event: ExxonMobil employees Melissa Chance and Anne Cooper pictured with several BISD students.
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