HESTEC FACTS
Organizers
Hispanic Engineering Science and Technology (HESTEC) Program is organized by the University of Texas-Pan American, one of the country's top Hispanic serving institutions, in conjunction with the Office of Congressman Rubén Hinojosa. The innovative program was created seven 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 careers among South Texas students who are predominantly Hispanic.
Location
Most HESTEC events are held on the UTPA campus or in neighboring elementary, middle and high schools. Located in Edinburg, Texas, UTPA is 10 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.
Project Objectives
- To emphasize the importance of science literacy to young students
- To encourage students to consider careers in science, engineering, mathematics and technology (STEM)
- To promote higher education to all children and their parents
Participating Groups
- Kindergarten through high school students
- University students
- Parents and family members
- Teachers, counselors and school administrators
- Corporate and foundation leaders
- Elected officials
Format
HESTEC is a year-round program that culminates in a weeklong event held on the UTPA campus. During this week, events are held for educators, students and parents that promote science literacy.
Registration
Students & Teachers
Some events have a registration fee and deadlines that are posted on http://hestec.utpa.edu/?page=registration. However, several events are offered free of charge. Although HESTEC targets mostly Hispanic students, the program is open to all persons interested in STEM opportunity careers. Exhibitors
Exhibit opportunities are available during the College Student Career Expo, which attracts more than 2,000 university students and as well as during HESTEC Community Day which attracts more than 100,000 students, parents, and family and community members.
HESTEC Outcomes
- More than 30,000 pre-college students have participated in the HESTEC conferences since its inception in 2002
- More than 7,000 teachers have attended HESTEC hands-on workshops since 2002
- $1.55 million has been raised for student scholarships
- More than 2,000 students from UTPA and other Texas universities have attended the College Students Career Expo
- An estimated 100,000 people attended HESTEC Community Day 2008.
- Expo received media coverage from more than 45 national and international outlets.
HESTEC 2008 Community Day, an event that is open and free to the public, that in 2008 attracted over 100,000 visitors to the UTPA campus over a six-hour period.
HESTEC Demographics
- The Rio Grande Valley, located in the southernmost tip of Texas, has a population that is 90% Hispanics. The Valley population represents 2.5% of the total U.S. Hispanic population
- HESTEC Community day is an excellent opportunity to promote your company’s diversity programs to the fastest-growing ethnic group in the country
- The Rio Grande Valley retail industry reported gross sales of $20 billion in 2006
- HESTEC Community day is one of the largest single-day events in South Texas
- The total population in the Rio Grande Valley is 1.2 million and within a 150 mile radius it is 7.8 million
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