Carter secures $500,000 for TXST STEM-For-All partnership, research initiative

Texas State University has received $500,000 in federal funding for the Round Rock Campus’ STEM-for-All Partnership and Research Initiative.

U.S. Representative John Carter secured the funds in the fiscal year 2024 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. The STEM-For-All Partnership opens learning and professional development opportunities for all ages in U.S. House District 31, an area represented by Carter that covers most of Williamson and Bell counties and all of Bosque, Burnet, Coryell and Hamilton counties. 

“STEM education is the foundation for innovation and progress,” Carter said. “Investments in STEM opportunities and education provide students with the critical thinking, problem-solving and technical skills needed to solve the world’s biggest problems, and Texas State Round Rock is leading the pack in providing quality STEM education to Central Texans. I appreciate Texas State University Round Rock’s continued partnership.”

Overseen by Leslie Huling, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, the partnership provides STEM engagement and educator professional development opportunities such as engineering camps, STEM internship programs, STEM nights and professional development sessions. The research component includes a study of the region’s current and future workforce needs to identify gaps and to promote collaborative planning to better meet local needs.

The FY 2024 funding follows $2 million in funding secured by Carter over the previous two fiscal years.

“Now more than ever, our efforts in STEM education are paramount to the success of producing a workforce that can meet the needs of the Central Texas job market,” said Julie Lessiter, Ph.D., TXST Round Rock Campus vice president. “I’m so proud of Dr. Huling and her team for what they have done in the past and the continued impact they will have on this community, and a heartfelt thank you to Rep. Carter for his efforts to secure this STEM-For-All funding. His unwavering support continues to elevate STEM education in Central Texas, providing invaluable opportunities for our students and inspiring the next generation.”

For more information about STEM-For-All, visit the LBJ Institute for STEM Education and Research website.