About the Center
Inspiring and preparing tomorrow's engineers. At the Center for Engineering Outreach, we're helping people understand the importance of engineering in today's world.
From our Pre-college Engineering Academy that introduces engineering curriculum into the K-12 classroom to our teacher training workshops that show teachers how to incorporate engineering concepts into their classrooms, our innovative approaches have established us as a leader in K-12 engineering outreach.
Why Engineering?
Engineering is problem solving. Computers, safe water and highways are things invented by engineers that we use everyday. Using math, science and technology, engineers make life safer and easier.
Engineers are in short supply. Nation-wide enrollment in engineering programs continues to decline. K-12 schools don't teach engineering in their classes, and students often don't understand what engineers do and how they impact our world.
Engineering is important. We want people to understand how important engineers are to society. At the Center for Engineering Outreach, we're working to educate people about engineering, encourage students to pursue engineering careers, and prepare students to be successfull in college engineering programs.
Our Vision
By inspiring and preparing a larger and more diverse population of K-14 students to become engineers, the Center for Engineering Outreach will improve recruitment, retention and diversity in the Texas Tech University College of Engineering and serve as a model for other universities in the nation.
Our Mission
The Center for Engineering Outreach works to integrate engineering into K-14 education to create feeder programs at the regional and state levels for Texas Tech University.
The center works to accomplish this mission by
- developing curriculum, teacher training and other academic resources designed to help K-14 institutions and educators engage students in learning about engineering and encourage rigorous academic preparation;
- providing experiences that reinforce interest and learning about engineering at the K-14 level with competitions, field trips and other opportunities to see or apply engineering concepts and skills;
- and connecting the K-14 experience to engineering in higher education and practice through mentoring, campus visits, early admission and other activities aimed at making engineering degrees and careers more accessible and attainable.
Our Programs
Teacher Training Workshops Teachers from across the state participate in this series of rigorous, weeklong workshops focused on engineering education topics. Participants receive instruction from industry and academic experts as well as all the resources necessary to implement the skills they learn in their classrooms.
Pre-college Engineering Academy Focused on introducing students to engineering careers, the Pre-college Engineering Academy incorporates engineering concepts and lessons into the K-12 curriculum.
Engineering Outreach Mentors Dedicated to working with the engineers of tomorrow, Engineering Outreach Mentors work with teachers in the K-12 classroom to lead discussion about engineering-themed lessons, facillitate hands on learning, and serve as role models for students interested in science and math.
Our Strategic Plan
Center for Engineering Outreach Strategic Plan
Past strategic plans and assessment reports are available from Institutional Research and Information Management