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This week, ����������� and released the 6th edition of the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum guide that pairs with the 2021 .

Developed by the Center for Educational Outreach at Baylor, the free curriculum guide is divided into six lessons for elementary and middle school students. It uses the Hess Cargo Plane and Jet as a tool to teach students various principles of STEM.

“For several years now, we have worked together with Hess to use their newest toy to teach STEM concepts to students,” said Dr. Nancy Moreno, chair of the Department of Education, Innovation and Technology and director of the Center for Educational Outreach at Baylor. “The activities can be used in the classroom and at home.”

The Hess Cargo Plane and Jet features flashing lights, motion-activated sounds, retractable wings and folding landing gear. The curriculum guide features several lessons and activities to teach the physics of flight, including how to design and build a paper airplane, the best angle for a plane to land safely on the runway, and how the cargo affects the distance an airplane can travel.  

Hess also will give away 1,000 free STEM kits to teachers for use in their classrooms along with the coordinating STEM curriculum guide. Each kit includes 12 of the Hess Cargo Planes and Jets.

“This lets kids participate in fun and engaging activities that are related to the real world,” Moreno said. “It’s very much in line with our philosophy to engage students in hands-on, learner-centered activities.”  

The guide is available for free download on the . Hess is accepting applications for the STEM kits from teachers through Dec. 31. The kits will be delivered in February to chosen applicants.

“Since the Baylor and Hess collaboration began in 2016, we have delivered more than 100,000 toy trucks to classrooms across the country with the accompanying educational activity guides, which provides learning opportunities for more than 1 million students,” said Justin Mayer, the general manager of Hess Toy Truck. “The innovative toy-based STEM learning activities bring complex concepts to life by mimicking real world situations that exist. It’s clear to any observer that the students enjoy the lessons, better understand complex STEM concepts and are more likely to retain that information in the future.”