-
Big Red mascot in the Cardinal NEST with students
Guess Elementary and Lamar University hosted a ribbon-cutting on April 25 to celebrate the newest Cardinal NEST, sponsored by campus business partner Education First Federal Credit Union.
Cardinal NESTs (Navigating Excellence Success and Triumph) are “innovative, high-tech learning labs for students to engage and explore reading and STEAM.” In addition, students will use the space at Guess for the school’s Lego Club, Broadcast Club and more.
Each Cardinal NEST is designed specifically for each campus. For Guess, characters from the fifth-grade C.A.F.E. (Center for Advanced Financial Experimentation) Secret Training Module workbook were painted in the lab by local artist Suzette Broussard. Additionally, students from Guess assisted Broussard with the artwork.
As a supporter of both Beaumont ISD and Cardinal NEST program since 2016, EducationFirst credit union gifted Lamar $15,000 for constructing the Cardinal NEST at Guess in September 2021.
“Education is at the heart of who we are here at Education First FCU and is the inspiration for a lot of what we do,” said President/CEO Kevin Conn. “Through this partnership, we’ve seen the work that goes into these NESTs. To say that we are thrilled to sponsor the Cardinal NEST at Guess Elementary is an understatement.
“We’re excited to see this new creative learning space and continue supporting financial literacy in the classroom.”