Energy Science and Technology Institute

Professional Development

The University of Texas at Austin’s Energy Science and Technology Institute (ESTI) introduces STEM high school TEACHERS to the latest technological innovations in the Texas energy industry, with specific applications in the areas of subsurface engineering and geology. The energy industry has some of the fastest rates of technological change and engineering innovation in the marketplace. A better technical understanding of energy science, engineering and technology provides teachers with the foundation to better instruct, inspire and mentor their students for potential opportunities in an industry that consistently provides hundreds of thousands of direct jobs to Texans.

The five-day summer institute is led by numerous faculty from the Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering. The program includes hands-on activities and labs, discussion sessions, breakout sessions, and online coursework that bring a focus to energy activities in Texas. Teachers have the opportunity to meet faculty and discuss technology, engineering, careers, and other topics in an informal setting. A variety of energy themes are covered during each workshop, such as the global energy marketplace, petroleum engineering, water-energy connection, energy portfolio mix, geothermal energy, carbon storage, and hydrogen storage.