Lamar University, ExxonMobil launch Cardinal NEST at Amelia Elementary
November 30, 2021 | by Shelbe Rodriguez
On Tuesday, Nov. 30, Lamar University and ExxonMobil officially opened the latest Cardinal NEST (Navigating Excellence Success and Triumph) at Amelia Elementary School, which joins Pietzsch-MacArthur, Blanchette, Charlton-Pollard, Amelia, Martin, Regina Howell, Homer, Guess and Fletcher as Beaumont ISD NEST campuses. As part of the launch, ExxonMobil and LU hosted a pep rally and ribbon cutting ceremony with representatives from Beaumont ISD followed by an interactive STEM carnival and petting zoo for Amelia Elementary fourth and fifth graders. 
“We have over 16,000 students in BISD and I’m so excited that ultimately every elementary school in the district will have a Cardinal NEST,” said Shannon Allen, Beaumont ISD superintendent and LU alum. “Every opportunity that we have to create a unique learning environment or unique learning space only helps us reach our mission. I’m very thankful for our community partners and their support in seeing this vision come to fruition.”
Cardinal NEST learning 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 establishment of this NEST was made possible through ExxonMobil’s donation of $25,000 to Lamar University’s Community Relations Program in spring of 2020.
“Engineers help shape the future. Whether it’s developing new fuel sources, managing energy resources more efficiently or exploring the outer edges of the universe, engineers make it happen,” said Jennifer Dunphy, ExxonMobil Beaumont Chemical Plant site manager. “The world will always have a need for engineers and scientists, and it’s critical for us to be involved in such projects like the Cardinal NEST, so that our youngest neighbors can discover early the many career possibilities through science, technology and mathematics.”
For more information on Cardinal NEST learning labs, visit lamar.edu/community-relations.
“We have over 16,000 students in BISD and I’m so excited that ultimately every elementary school in the district will have a Cardinal NEST,” said Shannon Allen, Beaumont ISD superintendent and LU alum. “Every opportunity that we have to create a unique learning environment or unique learning space only helps us reach our mission. I’m very thankful for our community partners and their support in seeing this vision come to fruition.”
Cardinal NEST learning 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 establishment of this NEST was made possible through ExxonMobil’s donation of $25,000 to Lamar University’s Community Relations Program in spring of 2020.
“Engineers help shape the future. Whether it’s developing new fuel sources, managing energy resources more efficiently or exploring the outer edges of the universe, engineers make it happen,” said Jennifer Dunphy, ExxonMobil Beaumont Chemical Plant site manager. “The world will always have a need for engineers and scientists, and it’s critical for us to be involved in such projects like the Cardinal NEST, so that our youngest neighbors can discover early the many career possibilities through science, technology and mathematics.”
For more information on Cardinal NEST learning labs, visit lamar.edu/community-relations.