About the Center of Excellence for Mathematics

This Center of Excellence (COE) is a cooperative effort based on community outreach, business and workforce partnerships, university transfer, college prep, and teacher professional development programs.  Our center is a response to workforce needs for trained workers for high paying careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Scholarships & Career Development

• STEM Work-Study.  The centers are looking for two student work-study employees to assist the office in managing program tasks aimed at expanding STEM education and workforce.  Tasks include: greet visitors, answer phones, respond to inquiries, filing, creating handouts, receive/send faxes, and make copies. 
• T-STEM Challenge Scholarship  ($2,500/year).  This scholarship is funded by the Texas Workforce Commission to encourage students to pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and allied health programs.  Requirement highlights include: an 80 average for high school math and science courses, completion of 30 semester credit hours during award year, registration for Selective Service (males only), and 'financial need' is not required.  The college is anticipating funding for 2013-14.  No longer accepting applications for 2012-13.
• COE Student Engagement Grant (SEG)  ($2,500 max).  The COE's SEG is a financial aid award given to selected students to assist the Centers in expanding awareness of the college's STEM academic and community activities.  Now accepting applications.
• UTSA's Tranfer Academy for Tomorrow's Engineers (TATE)  ($2,000 stipend).  Accepted TATE students will participate in an intense summer program which will: (1) focus on research & technical writing skills (2) conduct climate related engineering research (3) complete a video project. Students will also receive networking opportunities and a $ 2,000 dollar stipend after successful completion of the summer program and may be eligible for an additional scholarship for the fall and spring semester.  Deadline March 1, 2013
• Fastweb Scholarships:  High seniors and current college students  

Community Outreach

• GIRLS ROCKIT TO THE FUTURE, (April 6, 2013).  Applications are being accepted for the Centers of Excellence for Mathematics and Sciences student awards ($160) for participation in the event at the Rackspace Castle.  Training (4 hours) and participation (4 hours) in the actual event will require a minimum of 8 hours engagement. Female students must be a declared major in a STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) program or in a Teacher Education program and must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better to be eligible to apply.   We are looking for at least eight volunteers for student funding to occur.  Applications should be submitted ASAP.
•  Science and Math Summer Academy  (July 2013).  SAMSA offers 11-15 year old students the opportunity to see math and science in action. Classes and projects will be taught by certified teachers and math and science industry professionals.  Participants will also hear from math and science professionals as guest speakers during their free lunch.   Applications are being updated.  For more information contact associate director, Dr. Carmen Nava-Fischer.
•  Space TEAMS Robotics Camp (August 2013).   Our robotics camp is designed for middle school students to learn basic principles of robotics competition.  Students are taught how to program Lego Mindstorm NXT robots.  Participants are also taught how to establish competition teams within their home schools. No longer accepting applications.
• Math Advanced Placement Program  (July 2012).  MAP is a dual phased program that begins in the summer with a math bootcamp to begin preparing high school student for their AP math classes.  The second phase continues throughout their school year and continues with monthly field trips to various math related professions and job sites.  Applications coming soon.
• Women Breaking Through Application  (Fall 2013).  WBT is an annual conference for teenage girls who are interested in pursuing academic and professional careers in STEM.  Professional women leaders in STEM are invited to speak to our participants and share their academic and professional journey  with our aspiring young women.  The 2012 conference hosted fifty-nine attendees and each of them had the opportunity to apply for sponsored scholarships ranging from $250-$500!
• Mathematics, Engineering and Statistics Advancement  (July 2012).  MESA is a three week summer camp aimed to stimulate genuine interest in these areas using college faculty instruction, math software and personal STEM industry participation.  Participating schools include Milton Lee Academy, Sam Houston and Wagner High Schools. No longer accepting applications  

Community Partners

•  GIRLS ROCKIT TO THE FUTURE, (April 6, 2013).  Applications are being accepted for the Centers of Excellence for Mathematics and Sciences student awards ($160) for participation in the event at the Rackspace Castle.  Training (4 hours) and participation (4 hours) in the actual event will require a minimum of 8 hours engagement. Female students must be a declared major in a STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) program or in a Teacher Education program and must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better to be eligible to apply.   We are looking for at least eight volunteers for student funding to occur.  Applications should be submitted ASAP.  
• Camp Invention (Summer 2013).  A week long summer enrichment program for children entering grades one through six. The Camp Invention program instills vital 21st century life skills such as problem-solving and teamwork through hands-on fun!    (Summer 2013).  A week long summer enrichment program for children entering grades one through six. The Camp Invention program instills vital 21st century life skills such as problem-solving and teamwork through hands-on fun!

Student Research Opportunities

• Summer 2013 CheMIE REU, ($4,500).  Join the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Texas State University and engage in a traditional research experience while exploring how basic research contributes to molecular innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development in the molecular sciences!
•  REU EXCITE! at Texas A&M University, ($5,000).  Are you interested in gaining valuable research experience, learning about and working with the most diverse model system on the planet?  Then the Texas A&M University’s Department of Entomology REU EXCITE program is for you!  Join us for 10 weeks this summer as we unlock all sorts of entomological mysteries  
• Summer Institute For Training In Biostatistics, SIBS, (Full room/board).  SIBS introduces quantitatively oriented participants to Biostatistics. Students learn about the applications of statistical methods to biomedical research through coursework and hands-on experience working with real data collected in major clinical studies.  Participating universities: Columbia University, Boston University, University of Iowa, University of South Florida, NC State University, University of Pittsburgh and University of Wisconsin.