Organization Profiles
Cockrell School of Engineering
The Center for Dynamics and Control of Materials 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
- Accepting Volunteers or Collaboration with: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Faculty
CSR Education and Outreach offers educational workshops and activities at CSR that are available for the full range of students and educators — from K-12 lesson resources and teacher training in standards-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education to both summer and full-time, undergraduate and graduate student research.
- Accepting Volunteers or Collaboration with: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Faculty, Staff
- 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 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
- Accepting Volunteers or Collaboration with: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Faculty
Nutritional science is the study of processes by which living organisms take in food for the maintenance of life and growth. The study of nutrition is relevant to everyone, and our department encourages inclusivity and diversity. The ultimate goal of nutrition education and research is to improve the quality of life for all individuals by minimizing disease and maximizing longevity through optimal nutrition.
The Department includes a strong foundation in several primary areas of excellence in transdisciplinary nutrition research, including Nutrition and Cancer, Obesity and Metabolism, Maternal and Child Health, and Nutrigenomics/metabolomics. The Department has a unique niche on the UT campus as a bridging health science discipline, and the faculty includes scientists with expertise in a range of biomedical-related areas of study, including nutritional science, metabolism, immunology, molecular biology, genetics, epidemiology, clinical nutrition, and biochemistry.
The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center uses native plants to restore and create sustainable, beautiful landscapes. We carry out our mission to inspire the conservation of native plants through our gardens, research, education, and outreach programs. In doing so, we improve water quality, provide habitat for wildlife, and enhance human health and happiness. In 2017, we were officially designated the Botanic Garden and Arboretum of Texas.
Visit, learn and make a better world with us.
The Mathematics Teachers' Circle of Austin is a professional learning community that brings together middle school and high school mathematics teachers and professional mathematicians so that they may work together 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 in their teaching. We hold a monthly problem-solving session during the school year and summer workshops.
MTC Austin sessions are free to all math teachers in the Austin area. We validate campus parking, provide dinner, and participants earn two CPE hours for each session.
To get involved by becoming a participant or sponsor email us at mathteacherscircleaustin@gmail.com.
- 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
Our program pairs 2-4 middle school students with an undergraduate research lab at the UT Campus for a unique two-hour tour of a real scientific laboratory.
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
Partnerships with 10 regional high schools and two nationally recognized models of STEM education: the Freshman Research Initiative with 1000+ freshman and sophomores and UTeach, a preservice and inservice organization replicated in 49 other universities. The High School Research Initiative seeks to enhance education and science resources, teacher training, and building a community of higher ed and high school educators who will serve to prepare high school students, building research skills with undergraduate mentors and research faculty to build persistence in STEM.
- Accepting Volunteers or Collaboration with: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Faculty
- Open to supporting faculty broader impacts research
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
Dell Medical School
Each year, Dell Med offers several summer day camps for middle and high school students in Central Texas. Participants enjoy hands-on science experiments, interact with health professionals from various fields, spend time with outstanding camp counselors — and much more! Providing these experiences is just one way the Dell Med team encourages members of the local community to pursue careers that contribute to health transformation.
According to the National Science Board, women make up only 29% of the science and engineering workforce, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology reports that about a third of oncologists are women.
The Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) in Oncology aims to change these trends by empowering Central Texas high school students who identify as female with experiences, activities and discussions that introduce them to the incredible breadth of career and leadership opportunities in the field of oncology.
Division of Campus and Community Engagement
Women in STEM (WiSTEM) is broadening participation in STEM by creating an inspired community of confident STEM leaders. WiSTEM leads exemplary and nationally recognized pre-college and undergraduate student STEM programs with a longstanding history such as the Consider Every Option (CEO) summer camps, STEM Girl Day at UT Austin, and the Kinsolving Living Learning Community that inspire, connect, and support students in STEM majors across campus and beyond. 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
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
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
Founded in 2005, GeoFORCE Texas is the flagship diversity outreach program of The University of Texas at Austin Jackson School of Geosciences. This unique, 4-year high school program, earned the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) in 2019 for its innovative approach to broadening participation for diverse students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). GeoFORCE introduces students to field learning experiences each summer, visiting geologically significant sites across the country. Elements of mentorship, education, and exploration are weaved throughout summer academies to help cultivate interest and support student development. As a result, student participants from underserved areas in Texas find a path to college and rewarding careers as geoscientists, engineers, and other STEM-related professions. GeoFORCE provides students with tools, confidence, and motivation to succeed as future industry leaders.
- Accepting Volunteers or Collaboration with: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Faculty
- Open to supporting faculty broader impacts research
Other
EPIC's mission is to broaden participation in K20 computing pathways through research, outreach, professional development, and policy advocacy. To achieve this mission, we partner with school districts, institutions of higher education, industry leaders, and federal, state and local government entities who are also dedicated to expanding access and opportunity for historically underserved students in computing. EPIC also provides evaluation and technology services to external entities to help advance their STEM education research and outreach.
OnRamps prepares students and teachers for advance academic success through K12 and higher education partnerships that deliver high school dual enrollment courses and professional development. OnRamps provides students with access to college experiences and helps them build skills necessary to excel in college and the workplace. Additionally, students have an opportunity to earn college credit from OnRamps’ many course offerings in science, technology, and mathematics. OnRamps also offers Instructors yearlong researched-based professional learning and development with a focus on deepening course content knowledge and instructional approaches to help students learn in and outside of the classroom.
Research Centers and Institutes
TACC'S Education & Outreach team expands understanding and appreciation of the value of high performance computing and the career opportunities available in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, particularly among historically underrepresented populations.
- Accepting Volunteers or Collaboration with: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Faculty
WeTeach_CS educates, empowers, and inspires K-12 CS teachers, administrators, professional development providers, and university instructors to realize the vision of computer science for all. The Expanding Pathways in Computing (EPIC) group at The University of Texas at Austin's Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) serves as the backbone organization for the WeTeach_CS collective impact network which serves hundreds of districts, schools, and educators in Texas and across the nation. WeTeach_CS is dedicated to broadening participation in computing for every student regardless of race, gender, income, or location and leverages the TACC's internationally recognized computing expertise to guide strategic improvement in computing education at a state and national level.
- 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
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.