From Petrochemical to Play: How Community Shapes Immersive Pre-K Classrooms
What happens when a community’s primary industry inspires its youngest learners? Texas City ISD and Exhibit Concepts share how a petrochemical-based economy was translated into an immersive Pre-K environment that is developmentally appropriate, instructionally aligned, and rooted in students’ lived experiences. Attendees will explore the full journey from vision to implementation, and learn practical strategies for turning community identity into engaging, flexible learning environments that support student engagement, teacher practice, and real-world relevance.
Speakers
Sarah PfeilerEducation Consultant, Exhibit Concepts
Colleen IncandelaEducation Instructional Designer, Exhibit Concepts
Melissa DuarteSuperintendent of Schools, Texas City ISD
Rebeca TroconisPrincipal, Calvin Vincent Early Childhood Center, Texas City ISD
More Information
Allow Registration:No
Capacity Unlimited:No
Indicate how the topic is applicable to Health, Safety, Welfare (HSW) Design credits.:NA
Learner Engagement:This session is being submitted alongside Exhibit Concepts’ anticipated sponsorship of a session room designed to model flexible, immersive learning environments. If assigned, participants will experience the space firsthand while engaging in guided reflection, small-group discussion, and applied exercises tied to real project scenarios. The session will be interactive through storytelling, project visuals, and structured discussion, prompting participants to connect the content to their own district context and real-world constraints such as budget and implementation.
Learning Objective 1:Identify strategies for integrating community identity into the design of early learning environments to increase student engagement, relevance, and real-world connection




