While STEM education is a hot topic lately, the reality is that computer science education, or the lack of it, in Texas high schools and colleges is leaving today’s students woefully underprepared to take advantage of some of the fastest growing, highest paying jobs in Texas and the nation. In response to this disconnect between the workforce and the Texas education system, Dr. Carol L. Fletcher, Associate Director of the TRC, began...

  Michelle Sedberry, Project Director for the ESC Region 17 Science Collaborative in Lubbock has just published, Creating Future Engineers Through Elementary Engineering Professional Development, in which she outlines the five fundamental pillars for improving student success in science.  Michelle was inspired to research this area as part of her master’s thesis after becoming a Project Director.  As she says, “The TRC trained me to...

Last month was a very busy and successful time for the TRC. During August 4-8, the TRC once again hosted a Geometry in Construction (GiC) training for teams of 35 geometry and CTE teachers from around the state. Teachers attended the training at Hendrickson High School in Pflugerville ISD, which has been implementing the program since 2012. Holding the training at a school that actively participates in the program allowed attendees to view facilities and speak with teachers currently implementing the program.

The Computing MATTERS workshop at the Texas Advanced Computing Center focused on inquiry-based learning enhanced by computational thinking with content and practice to assist teachers and faculty to incorporate modeling at all levels from desktop to mobile.

TRC was proud to partner with TCEA to offer a two-day Computer Science Academy in Austin on July 24-25. The purpose of the Academy was to provide both new and veteran Computer Science teachers with professional learning opportunities that will result in more students being able to take Computer Science courses in high school.

  The ESC Region 8 Math and Science Collaboratives partnership with Jefferson, Texas based Collins Academy recently caught the eye of the Longview News-Journal. This partnership aims to give Region 8’s Math and Science Teacher Mentors (MTMs and STMs) hands-on training, while they explore real-world issues that effect their East Texas community. All of this activity takes place during an intensive two week training period known as a...