PREP is a successful, hallmark pre-engineering program at UTSA that has served over 50,000 students in the State of Texas during the past 40 years. The PREP team seeks to contribute to the development of the future generations of STEM professionals, and provide opportunities for high school and middle school students to identify pathways to and through higher education. The program follows the mission of creating equitable access and participation of underrepresented students in STEM by offering low cost, innovative, active learning, on-campus experiences, motivating and inspiring speakers, and by promoting collaboration between institutions of higher education, school districts, industry and the community at large.
Our Stats
In summer 2022, PREP brought high level learning experiences to more than 300 6th-11th grade students from school districts across Bexar County. Students participated in STEM educational programming at UTSA Main Campus, UTSA Downtown Campus and St. Mary’s University. Working with cohorts of students in various levels of PREP courses, students engineered safety vest prototypes, discussed fundamental ideas in physics, participated in a student-led research symposium, and gained an understanding of nanotechnology. They also participated in a speaker series where they learned from professionals in industry and academia.
In 2022
314
Students completed the 5-week Program at 3 Campuses
16
College students worked as Prep Program Mentors/Peer Mentors
20
Teachers & Professors served as PREP Instructors
4
TEA Approved PREP courses were enhanced and offered to students
21
School Districts were represented along with private/charter
How We Teach
PREP brings together the expertise of UTSA faculty and staff as well as that of a select and talented group of teachers from the San Antonio area. Together, our instructional group aims to offer the most comprehensive, engaging, and inclusive instruction possible. Our instructional approach is to value the experiences and voices of all of our students, while guiding them to develop a deeper sense of appreciation for their skills and confidence in their future career pursuits.
PREP courses focus on increasing the students’ ability to apply mathematical and scientific concepts, while collaborating with a team to develop and build solutions to problems. The integrated curriculum is designed to increase problem-solving abilities, foster STEM mindsets, STEM career awareness, and to connect the problem in a culturally relevant way to students’ lives and community concerns. Students also develop oral and written communication skills emphasized in STEM fields
Our 2022 PREP student population (grades 6-11, ages 11-17) consisted of students who identified as:
45%
Hispanic
20%
Asian
5%
African American/Black
15%
White
15%
Multi-Ethnic
1:1
Male-to-Female Student Ratio
