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More than 8,000 Southeast Texas elementary and middle school students will take part in JASON Project workshops during a two-week program that ends Feb. 1.
   Every year the JASON Project, in partnership with Â鶹ÊÓƵ, brings engaging STEM education to Southeast Texas to provoke an interest in young people in science and the local environment.
   “We are very excited for what we have to offer students this year,” said Dr. Jim Westgate, co-director of JASET and Professor Emeritus at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, “Students will be taking part in hands on projects that teach about the properties of different types of waves, with sessions hosted by experts from Lamar such as Joe Kruger and George Erwin.”
   Public and private schools from across the Region 5 are invited to bring their students to the event. Although only 8,900 students attend the event on campus, more than 200 teachers from across the region are taught the curriculum. Through this program approximately 20,000 students are exposed to the JASON material.
   “Kids get the opportunity to interact with plant engineers and medical professionals, people who do science for a living,” said Dr. Westgate, “What we want to communicate is that science can be interesting, fun, and help lead to many exciting careers. Even if some students do not choose to pursue an education in science they also get to see Â鶹ÊÓƵ. We are able to promote our institution to potential future students who may consider it an option when they are deciding which university they want to attend.”
   This year students from Beaumont ISD, Vidor ISD, Bridge City ISD, Nederland ISD, West Orange Cove ISD, East Chambers ISD, and more participated.
   The Jason Project resumes Jan. 28 and ends Feb. 1 on the campus of Â鶹ÊÓƵ.

 JASON is financially supported by BASF TOTAL Petrochemicals LLC, TOTAL Petrochemicals and Refining USA, Capital One Bank, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP, Chisum Resource Management, Cambrian Consultants (RPS), ENTERGY, Exxon Mobil Corporation, ExxonMobil Foundation, H.E. & Kate Dishman Trust Capital One, Motiva Enterprises LLC, Chuck & Becky Mason Fund, Â鶹ÊÓƵ, Higginbotham Insurance, Community Fund, Golden Pass LNG, Flint Hills, and Houseman Charitable Trust Capital One.

JASON provides curriculum and learning experiences in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for K-12 students, and high-quality professional development for teachers. JASON has been used successfully in a wide variety of formal and informal education environments.