K-16 partnerships: casting a broad net for filling the critical gaps in engineering

The University of Texas at El Paso (USA) has a long standing commitment to pre-college outreach and recruitment in engineering and science. An array of programs provides rich venues for attracting young people into engineering-, technology- and science-related careers. These account for contact with over 8,000 young people every year- each with opportunities to explore a number of career-related options and to interact with professional engineers, scientists, undergraduate/graduate science and engineering students and university faculty. Moreover, the College aggressively supports K-12 mathematics and science education reform in area schools-advocating and facilitating the implementation of hands-on standards-based curriculum in subject/content areas most critical in preparing young people for pursuing a more rigorous course of study at the university.