STEM-For-All
Carter secures $500,000 for TXST STEM-For-All Partnership and Research Initiative | August 8, 2024
Carter secures $500,000 for TXST STEM-For-All partnership, research initiative
RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Jayme Blaschke | August 8, 2024
Texas State University has received $500,000 in federal funding for the Round Rock Campus’ STEM-for-All Partnership and Research Initiative.
U.S. Representative John Carter secured the funds in the fiscal year 2024 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. The STEM-For-All Partnership opens learning and professional development opportunities for all ages in U.S. House District 31, an area represented by Carter that covers most of Williamson and Bell counties and all of Bosque, Burnet, Coryell and Hamilton counties.
“STEM education is the foundation for innovation and progress,” Carter said. “Investments in STEM opportunities and education provide students with the critical thinking, problem-solving and technical skills needed to solve the world’s biggest problems, and Texas State Round Rock is leading the pack in providing quality STEM education to Central Texans. I appreciate Texas State University Round Rock’s continued partnership.”
Overseen by Leslie Huling, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, the partnership provides STEM engagement and educator professional development opportunities such as engineering camps, STEM internship programs, STEM nights and professional development sessions. The research component includes a study of the region’s current and future workforce needs to identify gaps and to promote collaborative planning to better meet local needs.
The FY 2024 funding follows $2 million in funding secured by Carter over the previous two fiscal years.
“Now more than ever, our efforts in STEM education are paramount to the success of producing a workforce that can meet the needs of the Central Texas job market,” said Julie Lessiter, Ph.D., TXST Round Rock Campus vice president. “I’m so proud of Dr. Huling and her team for what they have done in the past and the continued impact they will have on this community, and a heartfelt thank you to Rep. Carter for his efforts to secure this STEM-For-All funding. His unwavering support continues to elevate STEM education in Central Texas, providing invaluable opportunities for our students and inspiring the next generation.”
For more information about STEM-For-All, visit the LBJ Institute for STEM Education and Research website.
TEXAS STATE AWARDED $1 MILLION FEDERAL FUNDING FOR STEM-FOR-ALL PARTNERSHIP AND RESEARCH INITIATIVE
Representative John Carter (TX-31) and Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse announced $1 million in funding for the Round Rock Campus’ STEM-for-All Partnership and Research Initiative.
Congressman Carter secured these funds in the House’s FY23 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. The STEM-for-all Partnership opens learning and professional development opportunities for all ages in Texas’ 31st district.
“The learners of today are the leaders of tomorrow,” said Representative Carter. “The funding for this initiative is an investment in Central Texas’ students and educators. Providing students with opportunities to explore STEM at a young age gives them the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving, technologically driven workforce. It has been an honor to work alongside Texas State as they grow their Round Rock Campus and actively engage with our community. I am excited to see how Texas State continues to expand their legacy in Central Texas.”
“This partnership is a prime example of the many ways our Round Rock Campus plays an integral role in supporting economic and workforce development in the area," Damphousse said. “The STEM-for-All partnership is a key component in helping Round Rock-area teachers educate and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. The university is proud to play a role in the partnership and grateful for Rep. Carter’s continued support of this important initiative.”
The STEM engagement and educator professional development opportunities made possible by this funding will include summer engineering camps, STEM internship programs, monthly STEM nights, professional development sessions, and more. For more information about STEM-for-All, visit https://lbj-stem.education.txst.edu/stem-for-all-partnership.html.
REP. JOHN CARTER ANNOUNCES $1 MILLION STEM-FOR-ALL PARTNERSHIP GRANT
Jayme Blaschke | April 19, 2022
U.S. Rep. John Carter announced a $1 million grant to the Round Rock STEM-for-All Partnership (RRSAP) and Research Initiative during the STEM-For-All speaker series event at Texas State University's Round Rock Campus on April 19.
"Not only is STEM education incredibly important to our local workforce, it’s crucial for the U.S. to continue to compete on a global scale," said Rep. Carter. "I can think of no better partner than Texas State University to help grow the next generation of scientists, engineers and IT professionals for our community. I’m excited to see this funding return to our local campus and help inspire future generations, as well as support our educators."
The STEM-For-All speaker series presentation by Michael Mileski, associate professor in the School of Health Administration, "What Everyone Needs to Know About the Aging American Population," was held immediately following Rep. Carter’s announcement.
RRSAP is overseen by Leslie Huling, professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. RRSAP is a public/private initiative that will combine a workforce research initiative with a well-integrated portfolio of STEM engagement and educator professional development opportunities for learners of all ages in the Texas 31st Congressional District. Research data will be collected and analyzed from area employers and education providers concerning current and future workforce needs to identify gaps and to promote collaborative planning to better meet local needs. The STEM engagement and educator professional development collaborative includes summer engineering camps for elementary students, STEM internship programs for secondary students, monthly STEM nights at area schools, summer engineering institutes for pre-service teachers, Saturday teacher professional development sessions for K-12 teachers, a speaker series for the community and STEM exhibits and interactive activities at area community events.
