CITGO Partners with the University of Houston-Downtown Scholars Academy to Promote Local STEM Education

HOUSTON, July 6, 2017 /3BL Media/― CITGO recently partnered with the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) Scholars Academy in support of its 17th annual UHD Student Research Conference (SRC). The partnership builds upon the company’s CITGO STEM Talent Pipeline initiative, which supports educational organizations near its operational areas to increase access to learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.   
 
The latest partnership is one among a series of UHD STEM educational activities that CITGO supports in Houston, which is home to the company’s headquarters. The UHD Student Research Conference provided the local community an opportunity to learn more about undergraduate research through a series of presentations from various fields, including STEM, business, and social sciences.
 
“As presenting sponsor, CITGO fostered an environment where undergraduates from diverse academic backgrounds have the opportunity to showcase their research,” said UHD Scholars Academy Executive Director Dr. Mary Jo Parker. “After seeing the success and benefits of the SRC for STEM students and teachers, we opened the application process to students of all disciplines so they too could benefit from CITGO support."
 
Currently, CITGO also supports the university’s Pre-Freshman Enrichment Program (PREP) to provide a six-week summer course for exceptional students in grades seventh through tenth who are interested in STEM. CITGO funded development of a new curriculum module that aims to provide these students with a completely immersive experience in the STEM world. Together, the UHD Student Research Conference and Houston PREP efforts are expected to reach more than 500 students.  
 
The company also supports the university’s Houston STEM Education Day where local teachers exchange techniques and recognize outstanding practices in STEM education; an activity with potential to impact up to one thousand more local students to pursue futures in STEM.  
 
The CITGO STEM Talent Pipeline continues to make a difference through partnerships with schools and educational organizations to support programs that increase student interest and academic preparation in STEM education, with emphasis on improving retention and graduation rates among high school and post-secondary students. The program promotes the importance of STEM education in the socio-economic development of our communities and highlights the numerous pathways to rewarding careers, including those in the energy industry.
 
About CITGO
CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.