Houston Chronicle, June 26, 2007
GALVESTON -- The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has awarded a $750,000 grant to the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in support of precollege science education programs. UTMB is one of 31 institutions selected nationwide for this renowned award.
According to Clifford W. Houston, associate vice president for educational outreach, the five-year grant will further increase the availability and interest of science for students, teachers and the community through a variety of science education programs. "The overall goal of the student component is to promote student interest in science early during the course of their formal education with the belief that a solid foundation in science must be established to enhance the probability of the pursuit of a future scientific career or one related to science, technology, engineering or mathematics," said Houston. The funds will support an interconnecting series of programs that serve as a pipeline to channel students into science-related careers. The student programs include Summer Science Camps, the High School Summer Research Program, Saturday Biomedical Science Academy and the Expanding Your Horizons Conference. In addition, the funding for the teacher component will provide professional development programs for science teachers and mentoring to assist them in the implementation of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and national education standards. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/bay/news/4922050.html