T-STEM Co-Curricular Engineering Activities/Robotics

Purpose

The goal of the program is to establish competitive Robotics teams in T-STEM Academies and select Texas High School Project-funded schools statewide. The Robotics program provides a hands-on experience in solving real world challenges and exposes students to physics, mechanics, electronics, programming, business, financial management, teamwork, and leadership. This co-curricular engineering program serves as a model for all Texas high schools looking to increase interest in science and technology, particularly among low income and minority students.

Eligibility

Targeted campuses for the Rocketry program are T-STEM academies and other Texas High School Project campuses.

Performance

Participating Texas High School Project Campuses in Cycle 1 of Robotics:

32 T-STEM Academies
2 Early College High Schools
2 High School Redesign and Restructuring campuses
2 Early Innovators

National research indicates that students involved in FIRST Robotics and FIRST Tech Challenge are twice as likely to pursue Science and Technology careers, and nearly four times as likely to pursue careers specifically in engineering.

While the activities of the T-STEM Co-curricular Engineering Activities/Robotics grant are not being evaluated or assessed directly, these activities support the T-STEM program, which is included in the Texas High School Project Evaluation and was assessed in the HB 2237 final report in the 82nd Legislature.