The Rotary Club of Beaumont donates funds to establish Cardinal NEST at Martin Elementary
April 15, 2021 | by Shelly Vitanza
The Rotary Club of Beaumont has made it possible for Lamar University to expand its program to create innovative learning labs for Beaumont ISD. The Rotary Club of Beaumont awarded Lamar University $15,000 to establish a new Cardinal NEST (Navigating Excellence Success and Triumph) at Martin 
Elementary.
The Martin “innovative learning lab” will be the fifth Beaumont ISD NEST established in an elementary school. The collaborative effort establishes a pathway model from early college awareness to dual credit education supporting first-generation, low socioeconomic college students.
“These are creative, unique, innovative learning spaces that cultivate a college-going culture,” said Teresa Simpson, executive director, Office of Community Relations, Economic Development and Student Access at Lamar University. “These labs seek to spark the love of learning and enhance the academic performance of the students in the areas of STEAM.”
NEST labs include state-of-the-art technology like clear touch, multi-touch panels with tilting stands and computers loaded with STEAM-related software, snowflake software that includes more than 150,000 K-12, STEAM-related lesson plans, digital citizenship material and software and virtual reality programs and equipment.
The first NEST opened in May 2019 at Pietzsch-MacArthur Elementary and served as the model space for more labs, including Blanchette and Charlton-Pollard.
Martin’s NEST will be built this summer, along with a NEST at Amelia. Both campuses will have separate ribbon cuttings in the early fall.
Get more information about Cardinal NESTs.
Elementary.The Martin “innovative learning lab” will be the fifth Beaumont ISD NEST established in an elementary school. The collaborative effort establishes a pathway model from early college awareness to dual credit education supporting first-generation, low socioeconomic college students.
“These are creative, unique, innovative learning spaces that cultivate a college-going culture,” said Teresa Simpson, executive director, Office of Community Relations, Economic Development and Student Access at Lamar University. “These labs seek to spark the love of learning and enhance the academic performance of the students in the areas of STEAM.”
NEST labs include state-of-the-art technology like clear touch, multi-touch panels with tilting stands and computers loaded with STEAM-related software, snowflake software that includes more than 150,000 K-12, STEAM-related lesson plans, digital citizenship material and software and virtual reality programs and equipment.
The first NEST opened in May 2019 at Pietzsch-MacArthur Elementary and served as the model space for more labs, including Blanchette and Charlton-Pollard.
Martin’s NEST will be built this summer, along with a NEST at Amelia. Both campuses will have separate ribbon cuttings in the early fall.
Get more information about Cardinal NESTs.