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Del Mar College’s TexPREP Summer Camp Participants Showcased Robotics and Engineering Skills on Media Day
Symbolic logic, problem solving, physics and linear coding ... those are subjects you don’t normally think sixth and seventh graders would spend time covering during the first part of their summer break. In fact, those subjects sound more like what upper-level high school or college students would take during summer semester courses. But for nearly 50 area middle school youth, that’s exactly how they’ve spent the past six weeks as participants with Del Mar College’s Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program or TexPREP. The annual summer camp is free and offered through an application process to students demonstrating strong academic aptitude, especially in mathematics. “Our goal is to prepare these students to excel while attending college, not to just get into college,” said James Shollenberger, DMC Professor of Mathematics and TexPREP Co-director. “We believe students who complete the college’s TexPREP program are going to progress forward and finish their bachelor’s degree and any further academic work that they would choose to pursue.” TexPREP is a statewide initiative that began in 1979 at The University of Texas at San Antonio to encourage middle school- through early high school-age students to pursue studies and careers in fields related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Del Mar College introduced TexPREP to its summer youth programming in 2000. The program’s longevity has been made possible by the 13-year lead sponsorship from Flint Hills Resources with overall donations reaching nearly $300,000. “Our 13-year partnership with Del Mar College through the TexPREP program reflects our mutual commitment to preparing students for success in STEM fields,” said Kara Rivas, Public Affairs Manager at Flint Hills Resources. “We look forward to continuing this shared vision and nurturing the next generation of leaders.” The college’s rigorous TexPREP is accredited by the Texas Education Agency. Students who complete each program year can earn one elective credit for every camp they attend. The coursework and projects become more advanced each progressive year that students complete. Shollenberger noted campers can start high school with almost a half semester of credits by completing all three program years and even use those credits to graduate early. The college’s TexPREP utilizes project-based learning that progresses as students continue their participation each summer. Bridge building introduces campers to civil engineering, robotics to mechanical engineering and computer programming and vehicle model building to electrical engineering and aerodynamics. Members of the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects also teach and mentor second-year students as they build models while learning the principles behind designing such wonders. Students also learn more about STEM-based career opportunities with guest speakers sharing their experiences and the skills and knowledge needed to enter their fields. This year those speakers included representatives from the Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, Corpus Christi City Council, Del Mar College, Flint Hills Resources, Hansoni Inc., MEG Corp, Steel Dynamics, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Valero and Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend, among other guests. Additionally, the program focuses on serving underrepresented populations, including youth who will be first-generation college-going students in their families and those nontraditionally represented in the STEM fields. Demographic data for 2014-2024 show that DMC TexPREP participation has been nearly 50% female, including one-third Hispanic female and three-quarters Hispanic and African American among students attending the summer program. Half of the participants were prospective first-generation college students with over 25% being female. Additionally, historical data for all PREP students shows on average: approximately 44% completing a bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline compared to 15% nationally, three-quarters completing a bachelor’s degree are from underrepresented and/or minority groups compared to less than one-third nationally, and nearly 70% who complete a bachelor’s degree do so in a STEM discipline and are from an underrepresented and/or minority group compared to 31% nationally. To learn more about the college’s TexPREP, visit www.delmar.edu/ccprep.
11th annual Mexican American Studies Summer Seminar offering panels on art, dance and music on Saturday, July 26
Article by Richard Guerrero, Jr. Murals, mariachis and traditional Mexican dance are among the highlights of this year’s Summer Seminar, which is presented annually by the Mexican American Studies (MAS) Program at Del Mar College (DMC), which offers an Associate in Arts degree. The 11th annual Mexican American Studies Summer Seminar, “Community, Culture y Más” is scheduled from 8:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, on the first floor of the Solomon Coles Building, which is located on DMC’s Heritage Campus. The event is free and open to the public. However, attendees are encouraged to register to help organizers plan for breakfast and lunch activities. Visit the online Summer Seminar event page to register at www.delmar.edu/degrees/mexican-american-studies/summer/index.html. For further questions, contact MAS Coordinator and Social Sciences faculty member Dr. Isabel Araiza at iaraiza2@delmar.edu. The day promises to offer a substantive immersion into topics and issues related to Mexican Americans, culture and experience. Panels will address a wide variety of topics, including art, identity, language, mariachi music and the importance of Mexican American Studies programs. “The seminar will begin with a ceremonial Mexica danza conducted by the group Kapulli Ollin Papalotl,” says Dr. Isabel Araiza, DMC Assistant Professor of Sociology and MAS Coordinator. “During the afternoon, they have graciously volunteered to participate on a panel to discus traditional Mexica danza, the artifacts they use and how they became a part of this group.” Araiza also adds that organizers are excited to share that this year’s keynote speaker is artist and DMC alumnus Tony Armadillo, who designed the Connections Mural, which was painted on the side of the K Space Building in Downtown Corpus Christi by muralist Sandra Gonzalez and 45 teen artists in 2019. The 2025 MAS Summer Seminar is the first for Armadillo to serve as a speaker. “If people are familiar with the murals in the Downtown District, they’ve probably appreciated and been awed by Mr. Armadillo’s work,” Araiza notes. “He is a renowned local artist whose work has been shown and won awards across Texas and the nation, so he will discuss his work and creative process when he speaks during the seminar.” Another item of interest, Araiza notes, is a morning panel featuring scholars and artists who recently published “Somos Tejanas: Chicana Identity and Culture in Texas.” Panelists will share details about the book, which explores the complexity of identity by weaving together poetry, art, history, and personal experiences. Given music’s importance to the cultural traditions of the Mexican American community, Araiza says she’s excited to have Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Amanda Marquez, a faculty member who is also a co-founder of the university’s Mariachi Festival, as a presenter. She will cover the history of mariachi music. While organizers have held previous seminars in other college locations, this year’s full-day event will take place in the Coles Building which also houses the Center for Mexican American Studies. Attendees will have an opportunity to visit the center, which is a community space, and to learn about projects the center has planned for the near future. The college’s Mexican American Studies Summer Seminar dates to 2014. “This annual event is a gift to the community from former English Professor Mike Anzaldúa, who was deeply involved at Del Mar College from 1969 until his death in 2012,” Araiza says, adding, “The summer seminar is a unique opportunity for the community to learn about itself and our experiences.”

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