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14 Programs Support Science, Technology, Engineering, Math

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas –  The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded 14 grants totaling nearly $1 million to Texas universities and community colleges for summer youth camps that focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The grants are allowing 1,200 students between ages 14 and 21 to attend camps which help to prepare youth for future high-skill, high-demand jobs.

“These camps offer students the opportunity to get hands-on experience in math and science inside and outside of the classroom,” Governor Rick Perry said.  “As the global economy continues to evolve and technology gets more sophisticated and essential every day, students need to have these building blocks as they prepare for the workplace of the future.”

Administered by TWC, the effort is part of the Governor’s Summer Merit Program, which aims to inspire Texas youth to pursue STEM-related careers.

“TWC is pleased to support these STEM camps that help Texas’ future workforce discover new areas of interest that can lead to high-demand careers,” said TWC Chairman and Commissioner Representing the Public Andres Alcantar. “These camps enhance our students’ competence in STEM, positioning them for future success in a number of industries all across Texas.”

The 1,200 Summer Merit Program scholarships awarded to 14 grant recipients are:

• Austin Community College, $7,009 –15 scholarships for the Renewable Energy day camp that will provide students with information on traditional energy; renewable solar, wind and geothermal energies; an introduction to electricity; and instruction in how to use a handheld multimeter to take electrical measurements.

• Cedar Valley College, $70,665 – 100 scholarships for two camps, including the Hot Bot Program day camp and the Hot Rocket day camp, which will offer students opportunities to learn about alternative energy, build an over-the-road model car, and build small rockets that will be launched the final day of camp.

• Lamar University, $179,844 – 100 scholarships for three residential camps, including gO WEST, gO SETX and LAMP, which will give students the chance to participate in STEM lab activities related to mechanical, chemical, industrial and civil engineering; learn skills in drafting, construction measurement and woodworking; and increase the mathematical talent of underserved high school students.

• Northwest Vista College, $36,590 – 72 scholarships for three day camps, including Space TEAMS/Girls Scouts Summer Robotics Camp-Northwest, Space TEAMS/Boysville Summer Robotics Camp-Northeast and Space TEAMS/Boys and Girls Clubs Summer Robotics Camp Central that provide opportunities for economically disadvantaged students to learn and experience how to design, build and program robots.

Summer Merit Program

• South Texas College, $83,256 – 216 scholarships for WaterBiotics day camps in which high-school students learn about simple machines, buoyancy, inertia, action/reaction, engineering concepts, icon-based programming, and sensors and motors, which can lead to an interest in a variety of STEM careers.

• Southern Methodist University, $65,053 – 60 scholarships for three STEM Immersion Design Experience residential camps in which high-school students will learn about STEM-related activities from mentors, industry partners and faculty members.

• Texas A&M University-Kingsville, $124,683 – 88 scholarships for three day camps, including the YESTexas Summer Camp, GEMS Summer Camp and ESF Summer Camp, which will provide opportunities for middle- and high-school students to explore the design and construction of bridges, the production of solar power and the programming of a state-of-the-art humanoid robot.

• Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX)-College Station, $45,906 – 40 scholarships for two TEEX-National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing Summer Camps in which participants learn aseptic techniques, chromatography, clean room techniques and many of the processes and procedures related to pharmaceutical manufacturing.

• Texas State Technical College-Marshall, $46,620 – 30 scholarships for the Students of Technology Acquiring & Retaining Skills day camp to encourage middle- and high-school minority and female students to learn about Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Advanced Technologies and Manufacturing, and Information and Computer Technologies.

• Texas State University, $61,474 – 20 scholarships for the residential Mathworks Honors Summer Math Camp in which female and minority high-school students from low-income families will learn critical math problem-solving skills, computer programming skills and teamwork skills.

• University of Texas at Arlington, $51,631 – 168 scholarships in a variety of science and engineering disciplines among 10 camps in which students tour labs, conduct lab experiments, focus on computer technology, witness engineering at area businesses and develop team-building skills.

• University of Texas at Austin, $122,595 – 215 scholarships among four residential camps, including My Introduction to Engineering (MITE), Women Engineers at UT, First Bytes and GeoFORCE 9th grade Academy, which will incorporate aspects of aerospace and environmental and petroleum engineering into presentations, tours and hands-on activities.

• University of Texas at Brownsville, $75,684 – 25 scholarships for the Reybotics Summer Valley day camp for 8th and 9th grade students, which teach how to program robots and use critical thinking techniques.

• University of Texas at El Paso, $28,887 – 50 scholarships for the ExciTES Summer Institute day camp for students already enrolled in early college and high school STEM magnet schools who will visit research labs and centers that are connected to the Texas industry clusters.