Tomé Elementary is celebrating its new Mobile STEM Lab. The school received the state-of-the-art equipment from The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, ExxonMobil with help from New Mexico Representative Tanya Mirabal Moya. Tomé Elementary and Los Lunas Schools recently held an official ribbon cutting ceremony, celebrating the new lab at an assembly with students and staff. Gil Sanchez Elementary in Belen also received a mobile STEM lab.
“ExxonMobil is proud to work with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and Los Lunas and Belen Schools to install STEM Centers that will inspire future generations to choose STEM careers,” said ExxonMobil’s New Mexico Production Manager Rick Cannon. “These centers are significant because it’s the first time our industry has endeavored to bring them to areas in New Mexico outside the Permian Basin, and we hope they will be the first of many to be opened in the Albuquerque region.”
Over a two-day period, the equipment was installed and teachers were trained on the new equipment, designed to provide students with a hands-on learning experience as well as supply them with access to the latest technology for science, technology, engineering and math. The new equipment includes a 3D printer, coding kits and Snap Circuits. (
Click here for video)
Ashley Wagner, the New Mexico Public & Government Affairs Advisor with ExxonMobil, is a Los Lunas High School graduate. She said she was excited to help provide this cutting-edge technology to her hometown.
“This is really special to me, “Ashley said. “You know to come back home and give back to the community that gave me so much growing up, so I wanted to do my part in giving back.”
She said this type of learning is going to carry the students far into the future. “To see these kids get excited for STEM you know as they get older and get into middle school and high school they will be excited to study science.”
The new mobile STEM lab continues the district’s educational technology initiatives. Last year, Los Lunas Schools opened the Innovation and Design Lab in the Special Services Department. The facility provides state-of-the-art technology. Teachers can check out equipment like microscopes, robotics, virtual reality headsets and other tools for the classroom.
This year, many schools opened their own Innovation Labs to better accommodate the needs of their teachers and students. Los Lunas Schools also provides iPads to every elementary and middle school student and a MacBook to each high school student.