CRYSTAL, ND, Dec. 19, 2023 -- Hess Corporation (NYSE: HES) today kicked off the 2023 Hess Toy Truck and STEM curriculum donation to schools across North Dakota, starting with a demonstration involving third and fourth grade students at Valley-Edinburg schools near Crystal, North Dakota.
Thirty-six students along with teachers, staff and Hess personnel were on hand to try out the STEM education kits and the Hess Police Truck and Cruiser.
This is the fifth straight year Hess will donate trucks to every elementary school in North Dakota, totaling 6,720 trucks in all. Aligning with the state’s Strategic Vision for education, Hess has again partnered with the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction to find new opportunities for interactive teaching and learning. The STEM curriculum guide, designed by Baylor College of Medicine’s Center for Educational Outreach, uses the 2023 Police Truck and Cruiser of the iconic Hess Toy Truck line as a learning tool that introduces elementary age students to different STEM concepts in a fun and engaging way.
“Our elementary school educators are always looking for innovative methods for teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics to their students, and the Hess toys and accompanying curriculum offer them another option,” said Kirsten Baesler, the North Dakota state school superintendent. “This ongoing Hess program is an outstanding example of how a private company, which is a major employer and economic presence in North Dakota, can work with our schools to the benefit of students and their families.”
Brent Lohnes, General Manager for North Dakota said, “Hess is proud to inspire young minds and foster a growing passion for science, technology, engineering, and math through the toy truck program. It is our hope that these trucks generate a positive experience in the classroom and drive a passion for learning for many years to come.”
The heavy-duty, dual axle Police Truck is a geared-up, green-colored tactical transport enhanced with bold white striping, emblems, and glistening chrome embellishments, including a fully chromed front end with push bar, cab mounted emergency light bar, bumpers, fuel tanks, mirrors, wheels, and exhaust pipes. Cab top buttons activate four realistic sounds (horn, engine start, and traditional and European emergency sirens), each in tandem with a different animated flashing light pattern from an amazing array of 55 brilliant red, white, and blue emergency lights. A switch on the chassis underside enables the lights to operate silently in steady or flashing mode. Clear paneled windows reveal an internally illuminated cargo hold for the Cruiser, accessed via a quick release button that unfolds the dual-purpose rear door into ramp position for loading and unloading.
The Cruiser is a white armored-response vehicle accented with bold green striping, emblems, and chrome embellishments including front and rear window louvers, front bumper, and hubcaps. A total of 19 switch operated red, white, and blue steady-on lights include two spotlights enclosed in a 270˚ rotating roof mounted turret. An under-chassis panel conceals a slide-out battering ram. A speedy 'rev up and release' pullback motor propels the Cruiser in either flat or wheelie position for a quick response to any emergency!
Hess will ship the toy trucks to each elementary school in North Dakota, and the STEM curriculum will be available for download or will be distributed electronically. Teachers will be able to use the materials as part of their curriculum going forward. The Hess Toy Truck has been a holiday tradition since 1964 and is one of the longest running toy brands in the U.S., having recently released the 2023 Collector's Edition Ocean Explorer to mark Hess Corporation's 90th Anniversary.
Hess Corporation is a leading global independent energy company engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas. Hess has maintained a presence in North Dakota since 1951 and is today one of the largest producers of oil and gas in the state. In the past several years, Hess has continued the commitment to North Dakota by investing in community initiatives to strengthen education, workforce development, health and human services as well as support disaster relief. More information on Hess Corporation is available at http://www.hess.com.