Marathon Refinery Hosts Fifth Annual STEM Conference
El Paso high school students toured the Marathon El Paso Refinery and took part in hands-on STEM activities at the event.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Oil and Gas
The Marathon El Paso Refinery Women's Employee Network hosted its fifth annual STEM conference for junior and senior high school students on Thursday. Students from Ysleta ISD, El Paso ISD, Socorro ISD and private schools took part in hands-on activities and refinery tours.
Why it matters
The conference is designed to show El Paso students how science, technology, engineering and math apply to real-world industrial work. It gives local students direct exposure to careers in the energy and refining sector.
This is the fifth consecutive year the refinery has held the conference, drawing junior and senior high students from Ysleta ISD, El Paso ISD, Socorro ISD and private schools. The total student attendance figure was not disclosed.
The players
Marathon El Paso Refinery
The Marathon El Paso Refinery is a petroleum refining facility in El Paso, Texas, that hosts community STEM outreach for local students.
The details
Speakers discussed refinery operations and the chemical, engineering and mathematical work behind them, while students participated in hands-on activities and toured the facility. The event was organized by the refinery's Women's Employee Network.
Timeline
Thursday, November 12, 2026: The fifth annual STEM conference was held at the Marathon El Paso Refinery.
Industry Outreach
The conference continues a multi-year effort by the refinery to introduce El Paso students to careers in refining through hands-on STEM programming. It extends the refinery's annual outreach series rather than marking a new initiative.
Students from El Paso-area districts gained early exposure to refinery careers that rely on chemistry, engineering and math. Families interested in energy-sector education can use the event as a reference point for local STEM opportunities.
The takeaway
Hands-on STEM exposure at local industrial sites can help students see how classroom math and science connect to real careers. Students interested in energy-sector work can ask local schools about similar programs.
Further reading
Explore more El Paso Oil and Gas coverage for context on the region's energy sector.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KDBC.
