Flint Hills Resources Corpus Christi Gives $300,000 to Texas State Aquarium’s Education Programs

June 4, 2019

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – Flint Hills Resources announced today a gift of $300,000 to the Texas State Aquarium’s Flint Hills Resources Center for Excellence in STEM Education.

This generous gift further showcases Flint Hills Resources’ dedication to advancing STEM knowledge and skills, building off a prolific 30-year history with the Aquarium. Throughout the years, Flint Hills Resources has been the Aquarium’s key partner in advancing STEM education, dating back to its Presenting Partnership of the Aquarium’s Aquavision Distance Learning Program in 2007, and a transformational gift to launch the Flint Hills Resources Center for Excellence in STEM Education in 2014. The Aquarium continues to build on the strong legacy of STEM support from Flint Hills Resources by expanding STEM practices and skills and introducing the animals and habitats of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea to more than 82,000 students each year.

Flint Hills Resources has also been a major supporter of the Aquarium overall since its very beginning and throughout its exceptional growth. Flint Hills Resources support includes contributions to the construction of the Aquarium in 1990, all the way through major expansions like Dolphin Bay in 2003 and Caribbean Journey in 2017. Today, the Aquarium has grown to be the largest in Texas and one of the state’s widest-reaching learning facilities with innovate practices and technologies that advance STEM education, in and out of the classroom, in Texas and beyond. Aquarium representatives say they couldn’t have gotten this far without the steady support of partners like Flint Hills Resources.

“I am so pleased and grateful that Flint Hills Resources has chosen to continue to support our STEM Center,” said Tom Schmid, Texas State Aquarium President & CEO. “Flint Hills Resources sets a leadership example when it comes to giving back to our community. They generously donate their time, talent and treasure to make the Coastal Bend a better place for all of us.”

“We are honored to continue our partnership with the Texas State Aquarium on STEM education,” said Brook Vickery, Vice-President and Manufacturing Manager, Flint Hills Resources Corpus Christi. “We consider this gift an investment in the region’s future as we help teach STEM concepts to the next generation of leaders in our community.”

According to the Aquarium, the gift will be used to further expand its educational programs, including the Flint Hills Resources Aquavision Distance Learning Program, field trips and summer and school-year camps. Together, the Aquarium and Flint Hills Resources hope to equip a new generation of dedicated scientists, conservationists and STEM professionals with the knowledge and passion to make a difference in the world.

Pictures from Press Conference