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On October 24, the Wharton County Junior College Foundation hosted its third annual Super Science Alliance at the Bay City Civic Center, an event designed to spark sixth-grade students’ interest in STEM careers that power the local community. More than 500 students from Matagorda County schools joined industry leaders for a day of hands-on science activities and meaningful conversations.
This year’s event, themed “Community Teamwork,” was made possible by title sponsor LyondellBasell, one of the area’s prominent employers. Major sponsors also included STP Nuclear Operating Company, Tenaris (Bay City), Underground Services Markham, Highly Innovative Fuels (HIF), and Wharton County Junior College. The day gave these sponsors the chance to demonstrate how science, technology, engineering, and math play an essential role in their daily work, and how these fields shape the future of Matagorda County.
Community leaders, including Bay City Mayor Robert Nelson, Palacios Mayor Rick Cink, Matagorda County Judge Bobby Seiferman, and County Commissioner Bubba Cook, showed their support by attending and encouraging the students to pursue careers that could someday benefit their hometowns.
"We can influence young leaders in our community with events like the Super Science Alliance and show them the importance of STEM education," Matagorda Site Manager Tim Carnell said. "LYB has a lot of various careers to offer, and we would love to see some of these students take interest and join our team one day."
WCJC Foundation President Gary Gillen expressed his pride in the event’s success, saying, “Partnering with the people who make our communities thrive—both inside and outside the classroom—is key to our mission. We’re thrilled that this event continues to inspire students year after year.”
The WCJC Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is committed to educational outreach and support for students across the region. Alongside the Super Science Alliance, the Foundation hosts events like Blackjack, Glitz & Glamor, and has steadily expanded its scholarship program to help more local students reach their educational goals. The Foundation office is located on the Wharton campus, inside the J.M. Hodges Library. For more information or to contribute, please visit wcjcfoundation.org or contact Jonathan Jeter at jeterj@wcjc.edu or 979-532-6981.
