GIVING Inspiring the Next Generation

By Taylor Bird

The pipeline of a STEM-educated workforce depends on the success of universities like UTSA, programs such as UTeachSA and strong partnerships with K-12 schools to inspire and train the next generation.

“UTSA and the College of Sciences are key components of our community’s ability to produce new STEM-educated professionals. We recognize the value of the programs we support in meeting the demand for the STEM workforce,” said Christopher Lyon, vice president of Scholarships and Grants and president of the Alamo Chapter of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) STEM Education Foundation.

The foundation provides funding to expand and cultivate interest in STEM-related disciplines at all academic levels, supporting educators, institutions and activities that foster awareness, understanding and the pursuit of STEM careers throughout San Antonio and the South Texas region.

“UTSA and the College of Sciences have well-developed and mature academic programs that produce high-quality talent, so it is a beneficial outcome to the problem we seek to address,” Lyon said.

One of the areas in the college supported by the foundation is UTeachSA, the STEM training program that develops students into highly qualified math and science teachers in grades 6 through 12. Students earn a science degree and teaching certificate simultaneously, and they graduate prepared to enter the classroom with confidence and specialized expertise in STEM education.

“Supporting exposure [to STEM education] at earlier ages allows us to build the workforce pipeline and shape the outcomes of the next generation,” said Hollis Cantrell, assistant vice president of Scholarships and Grants and vice president of the foundation.

AFCEA funding places UTeachSA students in the classrooms of current teachers, many of whom are alumni of the program. UTeachSA students benefit from the experience of a current teacher, teachers benefit from extra support and the students in the classroom benefit from additional attention from individuals passionate about STEM.

“If we partner with the teachers, it’s a force multiplier with educating their students,” explained Cantrell.

In addition to their support of teaching assistants, the foundation has brought together UTeachSA with local nonprofit Youth Code Jam to provide educators and future teachers with technology and training to incorporate coding into after-school programs.

“We are excited to partner with the university to measure and study the impact of this program and to measure the relationship between student interest before and after,” Lyon said.

As a Tier One research institution, UTSA has faculty who are leaders in STEM education research, improving curriculum and enhancing educational outcomes in K-12 schools. In addition to strengthening programs like UTeachSA, philanthropy is critical to funding research and generating knowledge to improve STEM education and more.

The foundation’s investment is ensuring UTeachSA students and alumni have access to opportunities that can spark their students’ interest and excitement in STEM as early as possible, improving the outcomes of the next generation in San Antonio, South Texas and beyond.

“We are establishing and supporting the catalyst to exponentially scale this opportunity for both students and teachers, and we are excited to do it,” said Cantrell. “We feel that [this partnership] is really going to be a game changer.”

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