Skip to main content
Guests homeNews home
Story
36 of 50

DMC’s TexPREP Summer Camp Empowers Underserved, Potential First-generation College Students for STEM Careers

18

July

2024

|

23:13 PM

Europe/Amsterdam

College-minded campers demonstrated competencies during Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program’s 2024 Media Day on July 17; program supported by 12-year Lead Sponsor Flint Hills Resources

Article by DMC College Relations and Flint Hills Resources

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 55 area middle school youth, that’s exactly how they’ve spent the past six weeks as participants with the Del Mar College (DMC) Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program or TexPREP.

Architecture Designs_TexPREP Media Day 2024

Del Mar College’s (Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program (TexPREP) utilizes project-based learning that progresses as students continue their participation each summer. Members of the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects teach and mentor second-year students as they build models while learning the principles behind designing such wonders. During TexPREP Media Day 2024, held July 17 the models were judged as part of three competitions held to wrap up the six-week summer camp targeting underserved, first-generational youth who demonstrated a strong aptitude in mathematics. Fifty-five sixth and seventh graders participated after completing the highly competitive application process. (Credit: DMC Media Relations)

TexPREP 2024_Robots

During Media Day on July 17, middle school students attending the 2024 Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program (TexPREP) at Del Mar College engaged in competitions to demonstrate their acumen in skills learned during the six-week camp focused on expanding their foundation in mathematics and other STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) areas. Among the competitions were robot races that allowed TexPREP campers to demonstrate their design and coding skills using kits supported by a donation eight years ago by Flint Hills Resources, the program’s lead sponsor for the past 12 years. (Credit: DMC Media Relations)

Bridges Constructed of Straws and Hot Glue_TexPREP 2024 Media Day

Del Mar College held its 2024 Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program (TexPREP) Media Day on July 17 to showcase the skills and knowledge that 55 area sixth and seventh graders developed over the past six weeks. The event includes three types of competition, including bridge building techniques that use plastic drinking straws and hot glue to test their strength under pressure. The annual summer camp is free and offered through a competitive application process to students demonstrating strong academic aptitude, especially in mathematics. (Credit: DMC Media Relations)

Del Mar College’s program is designed for motivated, high achieving students with ‘A’ averages in all of their core courses and the desire to work with new ideas. Our philosophy is to prepare these students to excel while attending college, not to just get into college. Historically, students who have completed the College’s TexPREP camp earn at least a bachelor’s degree, and several of our past participants have eventually earned graduate degrees.

James Shollenberger, TexPREP Co-director and DMC Professor of Mathematics

X Button

FHR_Stack_Color

FHR_Stack_Color

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.

Additionally, the program’s longevity has been made possible by the 12-year lead sponsorship from Flint Hills Resources (FHR) with overall donations reaching approximately $225,000.
 

Our long-standing partnership with Del Mar College is a testament to our shared vision and impact we’ve been able to make on students throughout the years, and it’s a privilege to watch young people in our community flourish with TexPREP. We continue to be committed to empowering a new generation of leaders and supporting STEM education in Corpus Christi.

Andy Saenz, Public Affairs Director with Flint Hills Resources

X Button

Andy Saenz_Flint Hills Resources Public Affairs Direct0r_TexPREP Media Day 2024_Credit FHR

During the Del Mar College Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program’s Media Day on July 17, Public Affairs Director for Flint Hills Resources Andy Saenz addressed the 55 sixth and seventh graders who attended the six-week camp to expand their skills and knowledge in mathematics and other STEM-focused areas to build a foundation for college and careers in the future. Flint Hills Resources has served as the lead sponsor for DMC’s program for the past 12 years and has donated approximately $225,000 to support TexPREP, which is offered free to participants each year. (Credit: Flint Hills Resources)

Andy Saenz_Public Affairs Director_Flint Hills Resources_TexPREP Media Day 2024_Credit DMC

During the Del Mar College Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program’s Media Day on July 17, Public Affairs Director for Flint Hills Resources Andy Saenz addressed the 55 sixth and seventh graders who attended the six-week camp to expand their skills and knowledge in mathematics and other STEM-focused areas to build a foundation for college and careers in the future. Flint Hills Resources has served as the lead sponsor for DMC’s program for the past 12 years and has donated approximately $225,000 to support TexPREP, which is offered free to participants each year. (Credit: DMC Media Relations)

Prepping the Robot_TexPREP Media Day 2024_Credit Flint Hills Resources

Two female campers, who participated during Del Mar College’s 2024 six-week summer Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program (TexPREP), prepare their robot for the race competition held during Media Day on July 17. The free camp offers sixth and seventh graders the opportunity to expand their foundation in mathematics and other STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) areas once accepted through a competitive application process for college-minded and underrepresented youth with an aptitude for the sciences. The program is largely supported by lead sponsor Flint Hills Resources, who over the past 12 years has donated approximately $225,000 to keep the summer program at Del Mar College running. (Credit: Flint Hills Resources)

On Your Mark_TexPREP Media Day 2024 Robot Race_Credit Flint Hills Resources

2024 Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program participants watch as one of the programmed robots makes its way through the obstacle course during Del Mar College’s Media Day on July 17 at the Oso Creek Campus. This summer 55 sixth and seventh graders spent six weeks attending the project-based learning experience that progresses as students continue their participation each summer. Robotics introduce campers to mechanical engineering and computer programming and vehicle model building to electrical engineering and aerodynamics. (Credit: Flint Hills Resources)

About Del Mar College

Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.

Latest DMC News