About Us - Hispanic Engineering, Science, & Technology (HESTEC)

Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology Program

HESTEC EVENTS

First Name:

Last Name:

E-mail Address:

Organizers

Hispanic Engineering Science and Technology (HESTEC) Program is organized by the University of Texas-Pan American, one of the country's top Hispanic Serving Institutions, in conjunction with the Office of Congressman Rubén Hinojosa. The innovative program was created seven years ago to address the critical shortage of scientists and engineers in the U.S. Since its inception, HESTEC has become a national model for promoting science, technology, engineering and math careers among South Texas students who are predominantly Hispanic.

Location

Most HESTEC events are held on the UTPA campus or in neighboring elementary, middle and high schools. UTPA is located in Edinburg, Texas, 10 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.

Project Objectives

To emphasize the importance of science literacy to young students
To encourage students to consider careers in science, engineering, mathematics and technology
To promote higher education to all children and their parents

Participating Groups

Kindergarten through high school students
University students
Parents and family members
Teachers, counselors and school administrators
Corporate and foundation leaders
Elected officials

Format

HESTEC is a year-round program that culminates in a weeklong event held on the UTPA campus. During this week, events are held for educators, students and parents that promote science literacy.

Registration

Students & Teachers
Some events have a registration fee and deadlines that are posted on www.hestec.org. However, several events are offered free of charge. Although HESTEC targets most Hispanic students, the program is open to all persons interested in STEM opportunity careers.

Exhibitors
Exhibit opportunities are available during the College Student Career Expo which attracts more than 5,000 university students and HESTEC International Expo which attracts more than 85,000 students, parents, and family and community members.

HESTEC Outcomes

More than 25,000 pre-college students have participated in the HESTEC conferences since its inception in 2002
More than 5,000 teachers have attended HESTEC hands-on workshops since 2002
$1.55 million has been raised for student scholarships
More than 2,000 students from UTPA and other Texas universities have attended the College Students Career Expo
An estimated 85,000 people attended HESTEC International Expo in 2007.
Expo received media coverage from more than 45 national and international outlets.

HESTEC International Expo , an event that is open and free to the public, that in 2007 attracted over 85,000 visitors to the UTPA campus over a six-hour period.

HESTEC Demographics

Expo is located in the top Hispanic/Latino market in the U.S.
The Rio Grande Valley, located in the southernmost tip of Texas, has a population that is 90% Hispanics. The Valley population represents 2.5% of the total U.S. Hispanic population
Expo is an excellent opportunity to promote your company’s diversity programs to the fastest-growing ethnic group in the country
The Rio Grande Valley retail industry reported gross sales of $20 billion in 2006
Expo is one of the largest single-day events in South Texas
The total population in the Rio Grande Valley is 1.2 million and within a 150 mile radius it is 7.8 million

HESTEC Demographics