The Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology (HESTEC) program at The University of Texas-Pan American, serves as a catalyst to promote awareness and increase the full participation of Hispanics in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields by encouraging and motivating students to pursue higher education and STEM careers. HESTEC will convene a weeklong series of events on September 27- October 2, 2009 to engage high school and undergraduate students, and the community at large in STEM educational activities, and provide a forum where higher education, federal, and corporate sector stakeholders can discuss and address key issues on preparing Hispanics for the science and engineering workforce. The program supports the Foundation?s strategic outcome goals of learning and stewardship, and expands efforts to increase participation from all under-represented groups. The HESTEC activity will foster communication among stakeholders to help prepare a diverse cadre of future scientists and engineers ready to meet the challenges of advancing the frontiers of knowledge, and equipped to solve the imminent concerns confronting the nation domestically and globally.
The Hispanic, Engineering, Science, and Technology (HESTEC) Week is organized by The University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA), a Hispanic Serving Institution, in conjunction with the Office of Congressman Rubén Hinojosa. The innovative program was created eleven years ago to address the critical shortage of scientists and engineers in the United States. Since its inception, HESTEC has become a national model for promoting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers among South Texas students who are predominantly (~89%) Hispanic. HESTEC has a two-fold purpose: to increase awareness of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields among students, parents, teachers, and community members; and to increase participation rates of Hispanics in these fields by boosting high school graduation rates and postsecondary education. The project emphasizes the importance of science literacy to young students, encourages students to consider careers in STEM, and promotes higher education to all children, their parents, and the community at large. Each year, HESTEC takes place the last week of September on the UTPA campus, featuring different events geared towards different audiences. Each HESTEC event focuses on informing, inspiring and involving educators (Educator Day), reaching out to secondary level students (Leadership Day, Latina Day and Robotics Day), university students (Science Symposium and Fall Career Expo) and involving the community as a whole (Community Day). By communicating with these constituents, HESTEC has changed perceptions of and garnered support for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education at all levels. Information at HESTEC is shared through panel discussion, workshop sessions, networking and career opportunities. The emphasis throughout the week is focused on the reciprocal link between academic, corporate, and government partnerships in meeting educational needs. Over 31,450 pre-college students have participated in the HESTEC conferences since its inception in 2002. Seven thousand five hundred teachers have attended HESTEC hands-on workshops. More than $1.55 million has been raised for student scholarships and more than 2,000 students from UTPA and other Texas universities have attended the College Students Career Expo. As one of the largest single day events in South Texas, an estimated 50,000 attend HESTEC Community Day. HESTEC has played an important role in raising students awareness and interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Feedback also shows that students, parents, and educator valued the resources that were available during the week and that they profited from the many networking opportunities. Perhaps the most important benefit is the encouragement and inspiration that students, parents, and administrators take away from HESTEC. Presenters are role models who tell the stories of their career successes in spite of obstacle in their lives and demonstrate that others can achieve too. The HESTEC 2009 Impact Report is available online at: www.utpa.edu/hestec/downloads/pdf/HESTEC%202009%20Impact%20Report.pdf
