Institute STEM Initiatives

The Institute is highly involved in local and national STEM initiatives it utilizes the multidisciplinary teams found with the breadth of the UTSA colleges to pursue energy and sustainability projects; improve emphasis on energy, water, sustainability and climate; and introduce our UTSA students to these projects.

STEM
On July 14, 2011, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA) released a new report that outlines the USA standing in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

STEM employment opportunities continue to be on the rise in the USA.  In addition, STEM workers are estimated to earn approximately 26% more on average then non-STEM employees.

With this positive perspective in STEM employment, comes the challenge of developing STEM fields in education to ensure that our USA schools are ready to graduate diverse students to fulfill this projected demand.  These jobs, will lead our nation to innovation in technology and a more sustainable future both economically and environmentally.

The Institute is highly involved in local and national STEM initiatives.  The Institute utilizes the multidisciplinary teams found with the breadth of the UTSA colleges to pursue energy and sustainability projects; improve emphasis on energy, water, sustainability and climate; and introduce our UTSA students to these projects.  The key to a successful implementation of such projects is a holistic systems approach.  The Institute has become a partner of choice with private, public and federal agencies to participate nationally and globally in STEM related initiatives.

Upcoming STEM Initiatives:
• Stemfitti: Arts for the Sciences!!  Changing minds is the first step to a sustainable future.  “If America is to maintain our high standard of living, we must continue to innovate. We are competing with nations many times our size. We don’t have a single brain to waste. Math and science are the engines of innovation. – Dr. Michael Brown

• Solar Car: To cultivate an interest in engineering among San Antonio high school students and to provide UTSA students an opportunity to mentor high school students, The Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute invested in and helped launch the James Madison High School Solar PV Racing Team. The team built its first solar car in 2011 and plans to build two new solar vehicles by early 2012 to compete at the Eco Shell Marathon and Winston Solar Challenge.

• Girls Inc. The Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute is hosting Girls Incorporated at the UTSA campus for a day of fun, education, and empowerment. The goal of Girls Inc. is to inspire girls to be smart, strong, and bold.  Where they can be problem solvers and motivated to enter  STEM fields of study.  To learn more about Girls Inc visit http://www.girlsincsa.com/index.aspx. Girls Inc is a national organization that is committed to inspiring the leaders of tomorrow

For more information contact:

Afamia Elnakat, Ph.D., R.E.M.
afamia.elnakat@utsa.edu

Alamo.edu

Alamo.edu/spc/STEM-club/

core4stem.org

Institute Facebook Page

U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economics Statistics Administration