Organization Profiles
Cockrell School of Engineering
The Center for Dynamics and Control of Materials: an NSF MRSEC seeks to extend the traditional paradigm of materials research beyond the study of behavior in or near equilibrium to encompass the understanding and control of materials over extended temporal and spatial scales. The Center supports research on nanocomposite materials that combine inorganic and organic components, with applications in energy storage and filtration membranes, and on approaches for exploiting light to achieve dynamic, quantum control of materials. Through the concept of a Materials Community of Practice, the Center integrates interdisciplinary materials research with initiatives in education, outreach, and the promotion of diversity. The Center involves elementary school teachers in materials research to improve teacher efficacy and student engagement with science at a formative age. Outreach to the public via hands-on demonstrations and collaborations between artists and materials researchers brings materials science and technology to new audiences who might not otherwise be engaged. And partnerships with industry and the entrepreneurial community provide participants with experiences and connections to prepare them for success in a broad range of careers.
- Accepting Volunteers or Collaboration with: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Faculty
- Open to supporting faculty broader impacts research
To inspire future generations to consider careers in engineering, the Cockrell School of Engineering hosts events and educational programs for K-12 students and teachers. From the annual Girl Day, featuring hands-on STEM activities that provide thousands of elementary and middle school students with their first glimpse of engineering at work, to our summer programs for building engineering interest in middle and high school students, we are working to ensure that every aspiring engineer has an opportunity to pursue an engineering path.
In addition to the programs below, Cockrell School hosts on-site visits from schools and classes, connects faculty and student ambassadors with teachers and classes and can provide information for K-12 teachers to share in their classrooms.
- Accepting Volunteers or Collaboration with: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Faculty
- Open to supporting faculty broader impacts research
Engineer Your World (EYW) is transforming how engineering is taught in high schools across the United States and beyond. Developed by a team at The University of Texas with support from the National Science Foundation, EYW offers an innovative and comprehensive high school engineering curriculum with a dual-enrollment option, along with exceptional professional development and ongoing teacher support. EYW courses are design-based, team-based, inquiry-focused, and engage students in integrated engineering design, computational thinking, and 21st century skills.
- Accepting Volunteers or Collaboration with: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Faculty
- Open to supporting faculty broader impacts research
The NASCENT Engineering Research Center is hosting a NanoSystems Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program. Each summer, science teachers from partner schools will participate in a multi-week program where they work alongside faculty and graduate students, participating in high-level research projects within the field of nanomanufacturing. In addition to the research component, RET staff and faculty will guide teachers to develop and teach engineering-based lessons that connect current research in engineering to K-12 science and mathematics curricula in the classroom, and promote engineering as an exciting career that allows K-12 students to apply their math and science education to real-world problems.
The long-term goals of our RET program are to motivate and improve middle/high school student-learning in engineering and establish a collaborative partnership between our selected schools and NASCENT engineering faculty through inquiry-based experiences in nanomanufacturing.
- Accepting Volunteers or Collaboration with: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Faculty
- Open to supporting faculty broader impacts research
College of Fine Arts
Driven by critical thinking, fueled by creativity and craft, and obsessed with emerging technologies — our future-forward program is designed for the ambitious.
College of Natural Sciences
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin develops and scales mathematics and science education innovations to support educators, administrators, and policymakers in creating seamless transitions throughout the K–16 system for all students, especially those who historically have been underserved. We focus on strategies for improving student engagement, motivation, persistence, and achievement.
- Accepting Volunteers or Collaboration with: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Faculty
The University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute is the oldest and most significant marine research facility on the Texas coast. We are changing our understanding of the world's oceans and coasts and educating a global population dependent on the ocean ecosystem. What began humbly in 1941 as a small, rough-lumber shack on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico in Port Aransas is now home to cutting-edge research, education, and outreach programs.
- Accepting Volunteers or Collaboration with: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Faculty
- Open to supporting faculty broader impacts research
The Mathematics Teachers' Circle of Austin (MTCA) is a professional learning community that brings together middle and high school mathematics teachers and professional mathematicians to collaborate and learn from each other.
Our goal is to help middle school and high school mathematics teachers confidently incorporate open-ended, authentic mathematical problem-solving into their teaching. We hold monthly problem-solving sessions during the school year and summer workshops. MTCA sessions are free to all math teachers in the Austin area. We validate campus parking and provide dinner, and participants earn two CPE hours for each session.
- Accepting Volunteers or Collaboration with: Graduate Students, Faculty
- Open to supporting faculty broader impacts research
- Accepting Volunteers or Collaboration with: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Faculty
Texas Science & Natural History Museum (formerly Texas Memorial Museum) is devoted to the natural sciences, exhibiting the university’s stunning biological and geological collections. Our mission is to engage, excite, and connect curious minds of all ages to the unique and irreplaceable natural history of the State of Texas.
We are a vital educational resource for all communities, statewide. We facilitate connections between the public and scientists, introduce university students to the importance of collections, and offer educational opportunities for volunteers, student interns and learners of all ages.
- Accepting Volunteers or Collaboration with: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Faculty, Staff
- Open to supporting faculty broader impacts research
UTeach Computer Science provides project-based curricula, engaging professional development, and ongoing teacher support for AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science A (both College Board–endorsed), along with free micro-credentials for K-12 educators.
UTeach CS is a collaborative effort between successful CS teachers, expert CS faculty from UT Austin, and UTeach's 25 years of experience leading nationwide, evidence-based teacher preparation.
- Open to supporting faculty broader impacts research
UTeach Outreach is a program housed in the College of Natural Sciences, serving as one of the University’s largest outreach initiatives. We are a branch of UTeach, the premiere university-based secondary STEM teacher preparation program that prepares university students to become science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teachers. UTeach Outreach strives to inspire students to take an active interest in STEM, increase the number of historically underrepresented students who pursue and succeed in STEM-focused college majors and careers, and make parents and teachers better scientific educators.
- Accepting Volunteers or Collaboration with: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Faculty, Staff
- Open to supporting faculty broader impacts research
UTeach, at The University of Texas at Austin, has been preparing both pre-service and in-service teachers since 1997, with an emphasis on learner-centered instruction, particularly blended, inquiry- and project-based teaching methods. At UTeach PD, we model inquiry-based learning, integrate inquiry with technology, and promote equity for all learners. UTeach believes in the power of well-prepared teachers with effective instructional pedagogies, classroom management strategies, and technology that will spark student interest and support personalized learning. All courses are online, asynchronous and were developed by The University of Texas at Austin Master Teachers and are taught by Master Teachers and professional development facilitators. Educators receive a certificate of completion with the designated number of professional development credit hours.
- Accepting Volunteers or Collaboration with: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Faculty
- Open to supporting faculty broader impacts research
Jackson School of Geosciences
Established in 1909, the Bureau of Economic Geology is the oldest research unit of The University of Texas. The Bureau is the State Geological Survey of Texas and has been an integral part of the development of the state’s economic success through the years. Our mission is to serve society by conducting objective, impactful, and integrated geoscience research on relevant energy, environmental, and economic issues. Our vision is to be a trusted scientific voice to academia, industry, government, and the public, whom we serve.
- Open to supporting faculty broader impacts research
The Environmental Science Institute (ESI) Hot Science – Cool Talks (HSCT) brings leading science, technology, engineering, and math professionals and their research to the community! Talks are offered six times a year and feature STEM role models and science communicators. Before each talk, attendees can participate in engaging hands-on STEM activities and demonstrations related to the themes of the talks. The events are free but registration is required.
- Accepting Volunteers or Collaboration with: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Faculty
- Open to supporting faculty broader impacts research
School of Nursing
The Longhorn Summer Nursing Immersion Camp is back! We invite high school students aged 14 - 17 years who are interested in nursing or other healthcare majors to join us for a week of learning and fun. Attending camp will increase your knowledge and understanding for a variety of nursing careers and roles within healthcare.
For questions about the camp, contact our team at nursingcamp@austin.utexas.edu.
- Accepting Volunteers or Collaboration with: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Faculty, Staff
Undergraduate College
Women in STEM (WiSTEM) is broadening participation in STEM by creating an inspired and curious community of confident STEM leaders.
We’re not just about science, technology, engineering, and math—we’re about unleashing the power of curiosity. Imagine a vibrant community where inspired minds collide, where STEM leaders emerge with confidence and passion.
Our Mission: To ignite the spark in every student, regardless of gender, and propel them toward STEM greatness. From pre-college to undergraduates, we’re here to fuel your STEM journey.
WiSTEM’s university-wide outreach, recruiting and retention STEM programs for precollege and undergraduate STEM students are designed to increase STEM identity, self-efficacy, and a sense of belonging and lead to increased undergraduate retention/persistence, graduation rates, advancement to graduate school, and persistence in the STEM workforce.
- Accepting Volunteers or Collaboration with: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Faculty, Staff
- Open to supporting faculty broader impacts research
University of Texas at Austin
What starts here changes the world. What starts here can be a new idea in the mind of a single student. What starts here can be a work of art that enriches lives or a discovery that saves them. What starts here can be a new way of doing things, a new perspective on a global challenge. What starts here changes the world.