The Kinder Morgan Foundation (Foundation) believes that contributions to educational opportunities to inspire today’s youth to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) fields is critical for us to provide the energy services that make civilization possible. We are dedicated to fostering relationships with organizations that devote their time and resources to educating children, including the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS).

The HMNS was founded in 1909 on the idea that science can improve everyone’s lives. For more than 100 years, it has been a center where families from all over the Houston area gather to learn, experience and feel the natural world through its galleries and exhibits.

As part of the Foundation’s goal to support arts, education and STEM organizations focused on helping underserved youth, including minorities and females, it has agreed to contribute $100,000 annually for the next five years toward phase 1 of the HMNS’s education campaign. This phase of the campaign involves the complete renovation of the lower-level hallways that house 32 classrooms serving as the museum’s central educational hub for children. Every square inch of wall, floor and ceiling, which is about the same size as two-thirds of a mile, is being transformed from plain beige wall and concrete floor to immersive illustrations of key scientific concepts about the natural world. Over 500,000 children, educators and volunteers visit the lower level each year.

“It’s been great to see the multitude of educational programs provided by the HMNS and its role in inspiring the next generation,” said Kinder Morgan’s Corporate Communications and Kinder Morgan Foundation Manager Katherine Hill. “The HMNS plays a critical role in educating Houston-area children on various STEM topics, and we are pleased to continue to support its great work through our $100,000 grant for this year.”

The museum offers people of all ages interactive educational experiences, such as in-person labs on Earth science, summer camps that inspire future engineers and scientists through hands-on learning, exhibits that explore the ecosystems and so much more.

“Here at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, we want each of our guests to learn something new each time they visit us and to leave with a sense of wonder,” said Nicole Temple, the HMNS vice president of education. “Science education is at the core of our mission, and by incorporating STEM objectives within our exhibits and interactives, we hope to inspire our youth and foster a sense of curiosity within them to continue discovering our world and beyond.”

The Foundation is pleased to be part of the great work that the HMNS does every day and looks forward to supporting the museum's goal of educating and inspiring for many years to come.