HollyFrontier, a petroleum refinery in Petrolia, made a wise investment this week when it gave $10,000 to Karns City Area High School to expand its STEM program.

For those unaware of STEM programs, the acronym refers to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. On Tuesday, representatives from HollyFrontier visited the high school for a tour and to learn about Karns City's science education programs.

The donation to the school will specifically go toward purchasing materials for Karns City’s STEM program, such as a laser cutter and coding kits for classes in programming, computer science, robotics, web design and 3D printing.

These supplies will go toward helping Karns City's students interested in pursuing careers in which science, technology, engineering or mathematics are utilized to be better prepared.

But just as important was the visiting company's discussion with school officials about the potential for other collaborations, such as mentoring, job shadowing programs and teacher field trips.

The funding for the new equipment will provide for excellent immediate benefits, while the additional collaborations could have impacts that could reverberate for decades.

Providing mentorship opportunities for STEM students with a company that could show them how the skills they are learning in school could be applied in the real world is invaluable.

And job shadowing is just as important. Students who take part in job shadowing are able to see a career path of interest to them in action, and the experience could help them decide if that career would be right for them.

It also allows them to make contacts in their area of interest and provides good practice in talking to professionals in that field.

"Partnering should be something we should do more of," Karns City Superintendent Eric Ritzert said. "The more collaborations, the more chance we take for students to be successful, so they can be employed when they graduate."

We agree. We're glad to see a regional company investing in a local school, and also think it's great to see that school considering ways to partner with local industries for the benefit of its students.

— NCD