San Jacinto Intermediate Student, Jackson Intermediate teacher selected for JASON National Argonaut Exploration in Bahamas
San Jacinto Intermediate eighth grader Helios Trevino and Jackson Intermediate eighth grade teacher Jessica McCoy, have been selected to experience the opportunity of a lifetime – a week-long exploratory adventure at the Cape Eleuthera Institute in the Bahamas with world renowned explorers, scientists and engineers as part of the JASON National Argonaut program.
JASON Learning is a national science organization that partners with NOAA, NASA, National Geographic and others to help science come alive in the classroom and inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
The National Argonaut program selects only four educators and 10 students each year to participate in the oceanic expedition. The process to be accepted into the program is highly rigorous. Students and teachers are required to submit a video and write essays explaining why they are the best candidates.
Once Trevino and McCoy begin their journey, they will participate in hands-on research aboard a Nautilus vessel, collecting samples and studying aquaculture and sea life.
School district administrators made the special unexpected announcement during a pep rally at San Jacinto Intermediate in the morning, then later that afternoon at Jackson Intermediate in the library.
“This will be a new experience that I will remember for the rest of my life,” Trevino said. “I’ve traveled before but never like this. This is going to be a really fun experience and I know it will be a good opportunity for me.”
“I was very surprised,” McCoy said. “I really love science and I am happy that I have this wonderful opportunity to explore things that I have never seen. I get to show my students how passionate I am about science and also that teaching is not just my job but it is my life. I think this is truly a great opportunity for our school.”
The JASON Argonaut program was made possible through a generous donation from Chevron. The district partnered with Chevron last year to deliver the JASON science curriculum to middle and intermediate school students throughout the school year.
