A generous donation from Murphy Oil Corporation brought the wonders of space exploration to Edgewood Elementary (EWE) through the Science Dome, a mobile planetarium created by the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS).

Fifth-grade students at EWE watched in awe as they traveled through time and space, learning about black holes and gaining an early exposure to physics. As classrooms passed through the planetarium, students left with an inspiration to dive deeper into science.

As students prepared to enter middle school, many found their curiosity sparked by the Science Dome. One fifth-grader captured this excitement perfectly: "It was amazing to see the planets up close and learn about black holes. I can't wait to learn more," she said, reflecting the curiosity ignited by the Science Dome. For many, the experience sparked new interests that could lead to future careers in science and technology.

Families had the opportunity to join their students in the Science Dome after school, continuing the learning experience together. Alicia Brock, Intervention Specialist, organized the program with the goal of inspiring students and families to share in the excitement of science education.

Principal Jessica Tejada shared that she is excited to offer programs like this, which bring the community together and provide unique, hands-on learning experiences for students. Building on space exploration and STEM concepts, the hands-on activities reinforced foundational principles of coding: simple circuits, experimenting with robotics, and exploring the basics of computer programming. These moments created shared memories and sparked conversations about science beyond the classroom.

Programs like the Science Dome provide crucial early exposure to STEM concepts, helping students see the possibilities of future careers.

This type of learning experience builds confidence and opens doors, encouraging students to dream bigger as they move through their education.

THANK YOU to Murphy Oil Corporation for their support, recognizing the lasting impact this partnership has made on hundreds of students and their families. The Science Dome experience at EWE demonstrates the power of partnerships like the one between Murphy Oil Corporation and HMNS in creating lasting educational opportunities.

With the right support, students can reach for the stars, finding inspiration in experiences that fuel their curiosity and ignite lifelong passions for learning.