Sasol In Society Report - Book - Page 147
STEM education
excellence
Big Brothers Big Sisters Lonestar
Sasol partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS)
Lonestar facilitates and supports one-to-one
mentoring relationships between students at our
Partner in Education school and Sasol employees
based in Houston, TX. This year, the organisation
has hosted bimonthly virtual sessions, where
mentorships matches can talk, students can receive
support with school tasks, and participate in
enriching activities.
A total of 15 sessions have been done for the
year, with over 35 mentors and over 20 students
and mentors now regularly meet face-to-face to
engage in critical conversations that positively
impact the behavioural and educational success
of students involved.
A notable impact is the effect of inclusivity of culture
and language being provided through each session.
With 80% of mentees being Hispanic females, many
students have reflected positive sentiment on the
opportunity to see women from the same ethnicity
have a career in STEM. Currently, 80% of mentors are
women and 40% mentors are Hispanic. In addition,
multiple mentees have shown a significant increase in
their mentorship involvement due to dual-language
opportunities. With diversity being at the forefront of
the mentorship programme, students have been able
to see real-world examples of what people from the
same background as them can do in their careers.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Southwest Louisiana
Sasol and Big Brothers Big Sisters SWLA partnered to provide one-on-one mentorship between
Sasol employee volunteers based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Sasol partner in education
school students via its school-based Lunch Buddies and Reading Readiness programmes.
The mentors meet with students twice per month at a minimum for the duration of the school year to provide
one-to-one mentoring to children who need positive connections, educational support, behavioural support,
and other needs.
BBBS SWLA identified nearly 30 Sasol employees and elementary students who participated in this year’s Lunch
Buddy programme. This is a year-over-year increase of nearly ten employees. Progression results will be noted in
the second quarter after the programme officially relaunches.
Chemical Education Foundation
The Chemical Education Foundation (CEF) You Be
the Chemist™ programme inspire K-students to
pursue STEM in study and careers, build educator
confidence, and strengthen communities through
employer engagement with local schools. Sasol and
CEF have partnered to support Emerson Elementary
in Houston, TX, through a You Be The Chemist™
community partnership since 2018. The CEF provides
material kits for Emerson teachers and students in
Grades 2-5 to engage in hands-on science activities,
impacting about 15 classrooms in total this year with
over 380 students in Grades 4 and 5.
In addition, the CEF/Sasol partnership has increased
the number of impacted students, supporting
approximately 500 students in Grades 2-5 at
Emerson. In response to the continued partnership
growth, 100% of the teachers involved have reported
they felt that they were providing more opportunities
for their students to engage in hands-on learning
because of the access to resources provided by CEF.
The Sasol Foundation is working with Sasol to
develop summer enrichment initiatives for students
to continue their education after the 2022-23 school
year ends.
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