Bridge City's inventive 2023-24 S.T.E.M. Bus program
Perhaps even more intriguingly, Woolley is a leader among the select few students chosen to run Bridge City’s inventive STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Bus Project.
“Back in 2021, our administrators decided to turn a retiring STEM bus into a mobile STEM lab,” said Woolley. “They got all of our engineering students to pitch design ideas. There were 70 of us, so we all pitched in our ideas and a ‘super-team’ was selected. Eventually, 15 of us were chosen to be a part of the final STEM bus.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“We collected all our ideas and started presenting them to various companies and organizations, and we raised over $50,000 in funds to create the lab.”
Both Band and the STEM Bus Project are undoubtedly huge commitments to make as a student. Just how does Woolley manage to do both simultaneously?
“It’s a lot of effort to balance the two,” she said. “I’ve had to talk with some of my teachers about it, but they’ve been really helpful with my schedule. All the classes I have are linked though, so it’s become a little easier as I’ve gone through it.”
Given her ability to multi-task and make quick decisions, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Woolley is currently tied for the distinction of being her class’ valedictorian.
Woolley alongside her fellow Drum MajorsBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“The competition of being tied for first in my class can be stressful at times,” she said. “But, it kind of works out. The person I’m tied with is a drum major as well, so we’re friends and we just talk each other through it. We both take some hard classes but we’re trying our best.”
With all the achievements she has accrued at BCHS, paired with the experiences gained in the process, Woolley has a clear picture of what’s in store for her future.
“My future is definitely going to involve leadership,” Woolley said. “I realized, as I was taking my time through the projects, that I like managing and the organization-aspect, which is why I want to go into the business field. That kind of combines the two leadership capabilities that I’ve acquired here.”
Something tells us that the STEM Bus is just the beginning for Woolley.
