Reliant Hosts Aquarium Experience to Schools Affected by Hurricane Harvey
February 11, 2019
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – More than 650 fifth-graders whose school districts were impacted by Hurricane Harvey’s landfall will be able to visit the Texas State Aquarium (TSA) this month, thanks to a generous donation from Reliant. Media are invited to a press conference on February 12, 2019 at 10 a.m., where representatives from TSA and Reliant will share how their partnership is giving these students an immersive and unique educational adventure.
A donation of more than $17,000 from the Texas-based electricity company will support a STEM-based Aquarium program for hundreds of students in the Coastal Bend region, some of the communities that were hit hardest by the 2017 storm. The school districts include Aransas County ISD, Aransas Pass ISD, Ingleside ISD, Port Aransas ISD, Refugio ISD, Woodsboro ISD and Austwell-Tivoli ISD. As of mid-February, more than 250 students have already visited the Aquarium, with more than 370 additional students expected through the end of the month.
The students’ experience will kick off with “Marine Adventures,” an on-site interactive learning activity with Gulf of Mexico animals and habitats. Students will work independently and in teams to investigate animal adaptations, observe, describe, sketch, collect data and discuss their findings.
To reinforce and review their Aquarium field trip experiences prior to STAAR testing, TSA will connect directly with each 5th grade classroom through Aquavision Distance Learning. This highly-interactive “virtual field trip” will feature a guided 45-minute exploration of TSA habitats and animals and is designed to build observation, inquiry and communication skills.
“We’re grateful to Reliant for allowing hundreds of students the chance to embark on an educational journey through the Aquarium,” said Tom Schmid, President & CEO of the Texas State Aquarium. “Their generous donation is just one of the many ways that Reliant has shown its steadfast support for our community in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.”
“Reliant is honored to support local education and help students across the Coastal Bend area have access to fun and unique learning opportunities like the one Texas State Aquarium provides,” said Elizabeth Killinger, President of Reliant.