AUSTIN June 5, 2018 ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded 13 grants totaling $992,526 to Texas universities and community colleges for summer youth camps that focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through the Governor’s Summer Merit Program. The grants provide 1,047 scholarships for students ages 14 to 21 to attend camps that will help prepare them for future high-skill, high-demand jobs.

“The complex challenges of tomorrow require us to prepare today, and Texas’ continued investment in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math are an essential part of that preparation,” said Governor Abbott. “The Governor’s Summer Merit Program and the Texas Workforce Commission provide valuable tools in training students to excel. As our state’s workforce becomes more technologically advanced, the success of Texas depends on the skills of our youth to contribute to the growth of our workforce.”

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. The camps introduce students to advanced technologies and manufacturing, aerospace and defense, biotechnology and life sciences, information and computer technology and energy.

“The Governor's Summer Merit program inspires Texas youth to learn high demand STEM skills in fields that will position them for success in the industries of the future,” said TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar.  “I commend the continued commitment from our colleges and universities to offer and deliver high quality learning opportunities for these students.”

Several of the camps are specifically targeted to encourage young women and minorities to pursue further education and careers in STEMfields.

“Our goal is to provide young Texans interested in STEM with the necessary tools needed to prepare for future careers in innovative industries,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth R. Hughs, “Through the Governor’s Summer Merit Program, students acquire STEM-related skills that play in the continuance of economic progress for Texas.”

Some students will have the opportunity to take field trips that will give them access to high-tech equipment, such as 3-D printers and electron telescopes, while others will visit science and engineering facilities and have the opportunity to meet and speak with industry professionals.

“TWC proudly supports programs that allow students to develop a deeper connection and understanding of STEM related skills and careers. Science, technology, engineering and math help to drive innovation and participation in the Governor’s Summer Merit Program will allow students to build an edge in these areas while still at school,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez.

The Summer Merit Program scholarships awarded to 13 grant recipients are:

• Tarrant County College, $76,793 – 83 scholarships for STEM-focused summer day camps at three of the College’s five physical campuses. Camps include: Biotechnology, EKG Certification, Arts and Technology, Career Exploration, Entrepreneurship, Mathematics and STEM Career Exploration/Student with Disabilities.
• The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, $66,854 – 70 scholarships for STARS Camps with concentrations in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Biotechnology.
• Cedar Valley College, $95,235 – 120 scholarships for STEM related Camps. Camps include: Black Girls Code, Coding with Drones, Bringing Math to Life, Cyber Defense Camp and Mobile Virtual Reality.
• The University of Texas at Austin, $100,000 – 200 scholarships for UT Austin to host camps in engineering and sciences that strive to increase the number and diversity of students studying STEM fields of computer science, engineering and geology. Camps include: First BYTES camp, GeoFORCE and Introduction to Engineering.
• Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), $84,304 – 72 scholarships for the TEES BioFORCE camps. Students will learn about cutting-edge research, medical discoveries and bio manufacturing to prepare them for college programs.
• Lamar University, $100,000, - 56 scholarships for a 20-day residential summer camp for high ability/high achieving students and high potential low social economic status minority students in grades 10, 11 and 12.
• Victoria College, $23,187 – 25 scholarships for the Texas Pre-freshman Engineering Program (TexPREP), a math-based learning opportunity for junior high students to learn about STEM careers while earning high school elective credits.
• The University of Texas San Antonio, $100,000 – 160 scholarships for 8 Engineering and Rapid Prototype Design camps.
• St. Mary’s University of San Antonio, $69,515 – 80 scholarships for engineering summer camps that will raise student’s interest in STEM areas. The instruction will include robotics, programming and operations research.
• South Texas College, $49,263 – 60 scholarships for Robotics and Automation camps.
• San Jacinto Community College, $44,879 – 80 scholarships for the week-long ROC/Aero day camps.
• Houston Community College, $98,609 – 50 scholarships for STEM camps focusing on cyber security/application development.
• The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, $83,887 – 51 scholarships for summer camps including the Summer STEM Camp, the High School Summer Biomedical Research Program and the Summer Biomedical and Health Careers Academy.