20 programs support science, technology, engineering, math
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded 20 grants totaling more than $1.5 million to Texas universities and community colleges for summer youth camps emphasizing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines. Administered by TWC, the effort is part of the Governor’s Summer Merit Program, which aims to inspire Texas youth to pursue careers in high-demand STEM-related careers.
“Initiatives like the Summer Merit Program help Texas remain the nation’s job creation leader by showing students how studying science, technology, engineering and math can lead to a rewarding career in a high-demand field,” Gov. Rick Perry said. “These camps provide students with necessary building blocks to prepare for the workplace of the future.”
The grants will allow 1,737 students between ages 14 and 21 to attend STEM-related camps, an increase from last year’s $1 million in grants and 1,200 participating students.
“TWC is pleased to partner with Texas community colleges and universities to offer these innovative camps to our future workforce,” said TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar. “These camps enhance our students’ competence in STEM, positioning them for success in high-demand careers across Texas.”
The camps provide students the opportunity to explore exciting and high-paying STEM careers such as forensics crime science, electrical and computer engineering, aerospace and computer gaming.
“TWC supports programs that give students a head start toward the careers that will lead to economic prosperity for Texas and its residents in the future, and the Governor’s Summer Merit program does that,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton.
All camps are sponsored by Texas universities and community colleges and allow students to experience life on a college campus.
“By educating and enhancing young leaders’ knowledge of STEM careers, these summer programs can help ensure that Texas’ future workforce has the knowledge and skills needed to ensure Texas remains the best state to do business,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Hope Andrade.
The 1,737 Summer Merit Program scholarships awarded to 20 grant recipients are:
· Austin Community College, $12,810 – 30 scholarships for two renewable energy day camps that will provide opportunities for students to learn about solar energy through building a solar powered car or developing an FM radio signal and tapping into the signal with an MP3 player.
· Lamar University, $147,328 – 100 scholarships for three residential camps that will offer students the opportunity to experience hands-on activities relating to mechanical, chemical, industrial and civil engineering, as well as drafting, construction measurement and woodworking.
· Mountain View College, $55,398 – 40 scholarships for two day camps that will allow students the opportunity to earn dual high school and college credit in course work related to robotics, math and engineering.
· Sam Houston State University, $70,000 – 30 scholarships for a weeklong residential camp that will provide opportunities for female students to participate in hands-on, STEM experiential activities associated with advanced technologies and manufacturing, aerospace and defense, biotechnology and life science, information and computer technologies, and energy.
· San Jacinto Community College District, $23,108 – 60 scholarships to provide students the opportunity to attend one of two “Lost In Space” day camps to gain experience using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to track the International Space Station and go on a high tech scavenger hunt.
· Tarrant County College District, $150,760 – 175 scholarships for seven day camps offering students the opportunity to explore topics in robotics, computer technology, biomedicine, pharmaceutical, ophthalmic and various STEM related subjects.
· Texas A&M University-Kingsville, $124,177 – 88 scholarships for three one-week day camps that will provide opportunities for students to design and construct bridges, and explore solar energy production and robotics.
· Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX)-College Station, $45,868 – 50 scholarships for two residential camps that will allow students to explore therapeutics manufacturing.
· Texas State Technical College-Harlingen, $27,342 – 40 scholarships to provide two day camps for students to learn about and experience a variety of technical careers found in STEM industries.
· Texas State Technical College-Waco, $21,798 – 70 scholarships for two day camps will provide opportunities for students to learn how to design, build, test and showcase robots, including a camp for underwater robotics.
· Texas State University-San Marcos, $60,189 – 20 scholarships for one residential Honors Summer Math Camp will provide students opportunities to learn critical math problem-solving skills, computer programming skills and teamwork skills.
· University of Houston, $102,500 – 100 scholarships for three day camps to provide students hands-on experience in robotics and insight into engineering career options.
· University of Houston-Clear Lake, $90,000 – 90 scholarships for six day camps that will provide students opportunities to learn about computer construction and design.
· University of North Texas, $63,000 – 120 scholarships will provide scholarships to six day camps that will provide students with opportunities to learn about robotics, game programming and applications development for smartphones and tablets.
· University of Texas at Arlington, $39,632 – 156 scholarships for nine day camps designed to give students exposure to a variety of engineering, robotics, biology and mathematics disciplines.
· University of Texas at Austin, $144,695 – 315 scholarships for eight residential camps designed to provide students hands-on experience in geology, energy, manufacturing, aerospace, mathematics and engineering careers, with an emphasis on encouraging women to explore STEM fields.
· University of Texas at Brownsville, $137,608 – 48 scholarships for two day camps to provide students the opportunity to program and develop robots, and explore portable energy sources using wind and solar, and attend field trips and guest speaker events promoting various STEM topics.
· University of Texas at Dallas, $84,000 – 120 scholarships for five day camps and one residential camp providing students with hands-on experience in robotics, design and construction, creating business and marketing plans and other skills.
· University of Texas of the Permian Basin, $53,204 – 45 scholarships to three two-week residential camps allow students to explore the medical, law enforcement and engineering career fields.
· University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, $60,459 – 40 scholarships for two camps that will provide students with opportunities to gain hands-on experience in chemistry and physics, covering topics such as x-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance and synthetic organic chemistry.
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The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and the services it offers in coordination with its network of local workforce development boards, call 512-463-8942 or visit www.texasworkforce.org.
