The Offshore Energy Center (OEC), based in Houston, Tex., yesterday brought its Mobil Oilfield Learning Unit (MOLU) to Donahoe Elementary School in Sandston. Students from both Donahoe and Sandston Elementary School took part in the exhibit sessions.

The MOLU is aimed at providing elementary and intermediate school children with opportunities to become interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through the six self-contained components with curriculum-based, hands-on learning activities about earth science and energy topics.

The exhibit, geared for fifth-grade students, allows both teachers and students to be active participants.
 
“This is a great opportunity for us to show tomorrow’s leaders the great benefits of accessible energy,” said Michael Ward, executive director of the Virginia Petroleum Council. “New energy sources will continue to be explored and evaluated, and there is so much untapped potential in offshore drilling that we need to educate our youth so they can be better educated and prepared to make decisions which will affect their, and in many cases their children’s, futures.”

Studies have indicated the U.S. needs to increase the number of students pursuing careers in STEM.  If there is no increase in these fields, projections indicate a future shortage of mathematicians, scientists and engineers in the U.S.
 
The MOLU is also scheduled to visit all the states on the Gulf Coast as well as those on the southeast coast of the Atlantic Ocean and the Rayburn Congressional Office Building in Washington, D.C.