HESTEC 2012

3Hispanic Engineering, Science & Technology Week

September 2012

4 Hispanic Engineering, Science & Technology Week

September 2012


September 2012

What is STEM Education?

p.11S.T.E.M. Careers

p.26Spotlight Shines on

Gear Up Students

p.30HESTEC 2012 was a BLAST!

The UTPAStudent

p.40Service in the NAVY,

a family Affair

Educator DayStudent Leadership DayLatina DayCommunity DayCareer ExpoMiddle School ChallengeRobotics Day

HESTEC Days

Articlesp. 9p. 15p. 17p. 18p. 33p. 35p. 38

Letter from the CongressmanLetter from UTPA President

Famous ScientistsScience Experiments

UTPA: Did You Know?Sudoku

p. 6p. 7p. 21p. 22p. 23p. 42


September 2012

I would like to personally thank you for attending the Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology (HESTEC) Week from September 23-29, 2012. This year marked the 11th year anniversary of HESTEC inspiring young people to consider a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. With the theme “Ignite the Possibilities,” HESTEC sought to expose the world of opportunities available for students.

Over the years, the program has blossomed into a nationally recognized model for increasing the number of future professionals in STEM through the support of its multi-ple partners and sponsors. Now more than ever, it is important to prepare our workforce to meet tomorrow’s needs and challenges. I thank you for your support of this valuable program that is changing the lives of our students, their parents, teachers and community year after year.

I look forward to seeing you at HESTEC 2013.

With warmest regards,

Congressman Rubén Hinojosa

Dear Friends,


September 2012

On behalf of The University of Texas-Pan American, I thank you for joining us at HESTEC 2012 from September 24-29, 2012. HESTEC brings the community together to promote as well as celebrate careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Every year more and more students, parents, teachers, and community members attend, and each year, thanks to our wonder-ful sponsors and partners, they leave with dreams of what is possible if they get a STEM education. Collaborating with our sponsors, K-12 leaders, and University leaders, UT Pan American worked hard this year to make HESTEC even more exciting.

Among the new attractions to HESTEC 2012, we showcased our new Center for Excellence in STEM Education, one of three in the nation, which will serve as a resource to our community for promoting science, engineering, and math through its high-tech equipment. To highlight the benefits of a university education and all the great things happening at Pan Am, all our colleges opened their doors to present the best of their students’ and faculty members’ work to our community. And we had a lineup of amazing speakers that included speakers such as the world-renowned Theoretical Physicist Dr. Michio Kaku.

We wanted HESTEC 2012 to be the best HESTEC ever. Even the magazine has been revamped. We hope that you will enjoy flipping through the pages, and I personally look forward to having you on our campus for HESTEC 2013.

Best regards,

Robert S. NelsenUTPA President

Hello Friends,


September 2012

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September 2012

September 24, 2012Sponsored by Marathon Oil

As part of Educator Day, on September 24, teachers and administrators had the opportunity to hear from leaders in government, Corporate America, and education during the Congressional Roundtable.

They attended professional development sessions regarding educational programs and resources available to help them prepare their students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to enter careers in STEM.

The special keynote speaker was Dr. Michio Kaku, physicist and author.

The University of Texas-Pan American and ExxonMobil Corp. awarded the UTPA HESTEC ExxonMobil Educator Day 2012 Award to four middle school teachers who were chosen by their peers as the best in their field in preparing students for higher education and successful careers.

The winners were Feliberto De Anda, Central Middle School, Weslaco ISD, eighth-grade science teacher; Daniel Lopez, Grulla Middle School, Rio Grande City CISD, eighth-grade math teacher; Bradley Brewer, Kennedy Middle School, PSJA ISD, seventh- and eighth-grade math teacher; and Joanna Acosta, La Villa Middle School, La Villa ISD, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade science teacher.


September 2012

STEM education replaces traditional science and mathematics classrooms by infusing them with technology and engineering principles. Instead of teaching these subjects in isolation, like taking a class that focuses only on biology class or exclusively on algebra, STEM education integrates these subjects together in an interdisciplinary approach including reading, writing, geography, history, problem-based learning, and student-centered classrooms that embrace all students rather than only those gifted in math and science. One of the GEAR UP: Ready, Set, College! partnership objectives is to increase students’ access to advanced academic programs, technology applications and distance learning networks through a STEM initiative. To ensure that GEAR UP students are ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century, teachers are transforming classrooms by infusing them with best practices developed through on-going professional development and collaboration with oth-er educators from across the Rio Grande Valley. STEM education begins in elementary school where exploration and hands-on activities peak students interest in wanting to know how math and science is used in everyday life. As students explore careers in middle school, STEM education helps forge a pathway to those upper- level math and science courses need-ed to transition into an engineering curriculum. Fur-ther into high school, students can begin to prepare for undergraduate STEM curriculum through their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics courses. If you’re a student and want to learn more about STEM education, visit the National Center for

Technological Literacy at www.mos.org/NCTL . President Barack Obama addressed the need for more STEM education in our classrooms by the creation of a national STEM Master Teacher Corps. Announced in July, the corps will begin in all 50 states with exceptional STEM educators that will expand to include 10,000 of the best in the nation. These STEM experts will make a commitment to champion the cause of STEM education in their respective communities, to mentor math and science teachers, inspire students, and help their communities develop a STEM focused culture. Parents and educators can read more about this initiative at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/07/17/president-obama-announc-es-plans-new-national-corps-recognize-and-reward . STEM education is vital to the future of our nation. By keeping students engaged in their education, providing lucrative job opportunities as they com-plete their course of studies, and establishing our country as a leader in STEM fields – we can look to a bright and exciting future with new technologies and amazing advances that simplify life for all. To find out more about STEM education, visit the STEM Education Coalition website at http://www.stemedcoalition.org or In-spiring Our Future through STEM Education at http://stemeducation.com.


September 2012

What are the fastest growing careers for the next decade? STEM Careers (those in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics) represent nearly 8 million jobs with an average annual salary of $77, 880 according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2011/ted_20110615.htm.) These careers are important to the development of new products, formulating new technological processes, and providing life to cutting-edge research and development. The educational requirements for these areas vary, but coursework in mathematics and science are a must for these high-paying occupations. You might ask WHY are these careers so in demand? Certainly our use of tech-nology in almost all areas of life, from running a house to running a business, is one likely reason. But much has to do with the global nature of business today. When work-ers in China need to communicate with suppliers in Brazil and management in Switzerland, STEM careers are the answer!

Are engineering careers rewarding? With a high starting salary, and chances for earning one of the top salaries of any field, engineering careers can lead you down the path to having most anything you want. However, a high paying salary isn’t everything. What you do in your day-to-day career is also important. The traditional fields of engineering include civil, chemical, electrical, mechani-cal, and computer science. But there are new and excit-ing fields of engineering that are interdisciplinary and specialized. These engineering fields include food sci-ence - where you work to make new and different foods to meet our busy lives and fulfill our nutritional needs; sports engineering - where discoveries are made on how to improve our recreational activities; or green engineer-ing - where advances in saving Earth’s resources occur. Almost anything that interests you requires an engineer

to make that product, or process, come to life.So what’s the problem? One of the problems is that there are not enough Hispanics entering these fields, es-pecially young women. Hispanics comprise 15.5% of the population as reported in Women, Minorities, and Per-sons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering (http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/pdf/nsf11309.pdf.) Less than 20% of all engineering degrees earned were by under-represented minorities (Black, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians/Other Pacific Islanders, and Asians). One of the reasons this is happening is that there are misconceptions about engineering. Not enough students are being informed about STEM and STEM careers, they think engineering is too difficult or boring, or there aren’t enough minority role models to educate students on what it is REALLY like to be an engineer. But, with technology entering every part of our lives – from work to home, school to recreation, education and beyond – engineers are needed from a diverse population to be able to answer the needs of everyone.

What’s next? The Rio Grande has many opportunities to study for a career in STEM. The University of Texas Pan American has a College of Engineering and Computer Science. The COECS consists of the Departments of Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Management, Information Technology, Manufacturing Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.

If you are a student, speak to your counselor about STEM careers. If you are a counselor, promote STEM careers to ALL of your students. If you are an educator, infuse your classes with STEM activities. If you are a parent, encourage your child to do well in science, technology and mathematics so that they will be prepared for a bright and exciting future in a STEM career!


September 2012

At Lockheed Martin, when we envision the future, we see a world of never-ending possibility. But that future will never be realized unless we prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s challenges. That’s why

Lockheed Martin is proud to sponsor HESTEC at the University of Texas-Pan American. Vital programs like HESTEC help create a brighter future for all of us, by inspiring tomorrow’s leaders today. It is our hope, and

our mission, to help the next generation of innovators to dream big. And make big things happen.

www.lockheedmartin.com

One day he may lOOk back and say that the

future started here©

2012

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September 2012


September 2012

Proud sponsor of

2012


September 2012

Sponsored by Lockheed MartinDuring Student Leadership Day, hundreds of middle and high school students were introduced to a wide range of career opportunities in the STEM fields through interactive breakout sessions and exciting keynote speakers such as Dr. Michio Kaku!

The eyes of nearly 800 middle school students from all over South Texas were glued to the projector screens as they got a glimpse into the future during their visit to The University of Texas-Pan American Tuesday, Sept. 25.

Theoretical physicist and popularizer of science Dr. Michio Kaku told almost 800 middle school stu-dents about how technology has and will continue to change all aspects of society during Student Leader-ship Day at UT Pan American’s Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology (HESTEC) week.

The eighth graders, who were all on campus for Stu-dent Leadership Day at UT Pan American’s 11th annual Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology (HESTEC) Week, were captivated by Kaku as he described a future where people can access the Internet with the blink of an eye, have replacement organs made out of their own stem cells and be driven by their automobiles without ever touching a steering wheel.

- excerpt from UTPA Public Affairs


September 2012


September 2012

September 26, 2012

Sponsored by ExxonMobil and Northrop Grumman

Latina Day is dedicated to celebrating and promoting women in the science, technology, engi-neering and math (STEM) fields. Hundreds of motherdaughter teams from throughout South Texas were brought together to hear the inspiring stories of successful female executives and leaders in STEM.

South Texas mothers and their daughters mustered up the imagination and resourcefulness that engineers need when they joined forces to assemble a marsh-mallow tower during a day committed to promoting STEM careers to women, as well as the many opportunities for them.

More than 400 girls from all over South Texas and their female relatives came to campus to hear from women who achieved successful careers in STEM-related fields and learn about

educational and career opportunities available to the teenagers.

Learning science became as exciting as watching a fast-paced action movie for the mothers and daughters that attended. By exploding a flower pot, setting his hand and a small house safely on fire, and dangling a person in mid-air while on the UTPA Fieldhouse stage, stunt and special effects coordinator Steve Wolf shared the simple science concepts behind a number of the spectacular feats he has created for movies and TV.


September 2012

Sept. 27Sponsored by Time Warner Cable and AEP Texas

Knocking all the required blocks off an obstacle course with more than a minute to spare with its robot “Nano Doctor,” the Veterans Middle School team from Rio Grande City secured its place as champion of the 2012 Robotics Day at The University of Texas-Pan American Hispanic Engineering, Sci-ence and Technology (HESTEC) conference.

The University of Texas-Pan American honored the top three schools that placed in the Robotics Day competition during HESTEC Sept. 27, 2012.

Though they bested McAllen’s Travis Middle School and Peñitas’ Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School for the top spot, team members remained humble after the competition on Thursday, Sept. 27 at the Fieldhouse.

Veterans Memorial won iPads for each team mem-ber. Team members from Travis Middle received iPod Touches for placing second and Dr. Javier Saenz Middle team members received Texas Instrument calculators for earning third place.


September 2012

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September 2012

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What do you need to succeed in today’s climate? You need to START STRONG.SM In Army ROTC, you’ll do just that. While attending college, you’ll gain strength, character, and unmatched leadership skills to lead the most well-trained individuals in any field. And when you graduate and complete Army ROTC, you can be commissioned as a U.S. Army officer. Plus, to help pay for your education, you may be eligible for a merit-based scholarship that pays up to full tuition, a monthly subsistence allowance and funds for textbooks.There’s strong. Then there’s Army Strong.

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September 2012

Famous Scientists

Motorola Solutions Foundation is proud to support HESTEC’s efforts to spark students’ interest in careers in engineering and science.

MOTOROLA, MOTO, MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS and the Stylized M Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC and are used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2012 Motorola Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.

Isaac Newton The three laws of motion and theory of universal gravita-tion are attributed to me.

Albert Einstein Developed this equation, E=MC2, (small amounts of mass can be converted into huge amounts of energy) which is the basis of nuclear power.

Galileo GalileiBefore me, everyone thought that the universe revolved around the earth.

Louis Pasteur My research led to vaccinations that keep you from getting sick and eventually my contributions led to antibiotics which help heal you when you’re feeling ill.

Marie Curie I discovered radium which can be used to treat cancer, among other diseases.


September 2012

©2011 The Coca-Cola Company.

Proud partner of

PQ_L108029_1a_HESTEC Mag Half Page Ad.pdf 1 8/10/11 4:39 PM

Lemon BatteryMaterials:

Fresh LemonCopper PennyPaper Clip

Procedure:Push the paper clip and the penny into the lemon, tops sticking out to the rind. They should be side by side but not touching each other.

Touch your tongue to penny and paperclip simultaneously.

Inside the lemon are electrolytes, free ions that have an electrical charge.

A chemical reaction causes electrons to build up on one of the metals and to decrease on the other metal. When you touch your tongue to both, you close the circuit and can feel a slight tingle.

More experiments like this can be found at www.sciencebob.com.

Science Experiment


September 2012

UTPA:Did you know?

OverviewThe University of Texas-Pan American, a Hispanic serving institution, is in the middle of one of the fastest growing areas in the nation, the southern tip of Texas known as the Rio Grande Valley. UTPA is located in Edinburg, Texas, approximately 10 miles north of the U.S./Mexico border and 75 miles northwest of South Padre Island. UTPA provides program specific classes in Rio Grande City, McAllen and South Padre Island in addition to those offered through the online learning center.Since its inception in 1927, The University of

Texas-Pan American has conferred over 2,600 associate’s, 55,700 bachelor’s, 12,300 master’s and 135 doctoral degrees.

UTPA provides an affordable education and glob-al opportunities with a choice of 56 bachelor’s, 56 master’s, three doctoral, and two cooperative doctoral programs within 7 colleges.The national rankings for the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanics at UTPA by academic program are as follows:

1st in Biological and Biomedical Sciences1st in Mathematics and Statistics10th in Engineering

UTPA mechanical engineering students have been competing at the National Mini Baja Design Competition since 1999 and have ranked among the top 15% in the International SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) competition (UTPA Col-lege of Science and Engineering, 2010).


September 2012

From developing unique educational initiatives to creating a state-level STEM modeling

program, Raytheon ensures a bright future for the next generation of innovators.

EDUCATION

© 2012 Raytheon Company. All rights reserved. “Customer Success Is Our Mission” is a registered trademark of Raytheon Company.

www.raytheon.com/responsibility

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IN THESE FACES,

WE CAN SEETHE FUTURE


September 2012


September 2012

To be (a mentor), or not to be, that was the question that was recently posed to four valley GEAR UP grads from the class of 2011. Without a doubt, these remarkable young adults have chosen to do whatever they can to help the next generation of GEAR UP students (Class of 2017). Angel Roque, Beatriz Ramirez, Valeria Salazar and Juan Quintanilla have decided that they want to be a force in the lives of the next GEAR UP cohort by tutoring, mentoring and/or volunteering so that they can be a positive in�uence on these future high school graduates. They remember struggling in middle and high school and the support they received from educators within their schools as well as the GEAR UP program. It was this assistance that helped them achieve success. Now they want to be role models as well.

Angel Roque, a recent graduate from Port Isabel High School, is seen regularly at Port Isabel Middle School helping to mentor and tutor GEAR UP eighth graders. Angel is majoring in Mathematics and is a freshman at UT-Browns-ville. He spent much of his summer working with GEAR UP 7th graders and their teachers during a math camp aimed at preparing students for Algebra I. He is very thankful for everything that he received through his active involvement in the past GEAR UP grant and he is ready to return the favor. “I’ve always believed that you can’t really be sel�sh about the knowledge that you receive, you have to give back. That’s the way I want to give back. I want to teach

Beatriz Ramirez, a product of Rio Grande City High School, is currently a freshman at UT Pan

American in Edinburg. Besides attending classes and majoring in Mass Communication, she is

actively involved in a mentor organization that is led by Joe Castillo, an Education Specialist for

Region One GEAR UP. The current members have named themselves – the GEAR UP Collegiate Council (GC^2). She recently volunteered to

work with over 100 seventh graders from the Region One ESC GEAR UP cohort this past May in

a two-day Leadership Camp.

GEARUp

RIGHT CHOICES FOR YOUTH


September 2012

Valeria Salazar, a Hanna High School graduate from Brownsville ISD, also attends UTPA. Her aspiration to provide support to the next GEAR UP cohort has prompted her to become actively involved in the student mentor organization GC^2. She is majoring in Biology (Pre-med) and loves science. Along with Beatriz and Juan, she also was very active in the two-day Student Leadership Camp that invited 2-3 students from all 44 middle schools of the Region One ESC GEAR UP grant. Her love for science and her welcoming smile has made tutoring/mentoring the new GEAR UP students appear effortless.

Juan Quintanilla, who hails from Lyford, Texas, graduated from Lyford High School and is a freshman at UTPA. He is majoring in Nursing because he desires to provide aid to those in need. This

same calling to help others inspired him to seek employment in his hometown. The school district recently hired him to be both a

mentor and tutor. His friendly smile and heartwarming enthusiasm have gone a long way toward helping the many middle schoolers

that he comes into contact with weekly.

So, to be a mentor or not to be…was a given for these talented college kids. Their choice to continue to give back is as rewarding for them as it is to the children they serve. These students above, along with their peers (listed below), continue to show what it means to have “a servant’s heart” and are willing to support the Region One GEAR UP efforts in cultivating a college going culture. This inspirational spirit from these gracious GEAR UP graduates should be emulated exponentially!

Music EducationBiologyBiologyNursingPsychologyPsychology/MathematicsMechanical EngineeringMedical Spanish and Rising StarBiologyCivil EngineeringBiology Pre-Med & Spanish TranslationComputer SciencePre-MedPre-PharmacyComputer EngineeringBiology (Pre-Med)EngineeringArtNursingMass CommunicationBiology (Pre-Med)Chemistry (Pre-Med)Electrical EngineeringPre-Pharmacy/Chemistry

Arriazola, EstefaniaBalderas, MayaCardenas, HannahCardenas, Inez SofiaCorona, VeronicaCorrea, LuisElizalde, LuisGarcía, Andrea LizbethGarza, HectorIbarra, Maria LizbethIglesia, YarreliJimenez, Francisco JavierKowalski, IrmaLeal, RaquelLimas, CherylMartinez, DeniseMendez, RubenOlvera, EstefaniaQuintanilla, JuanRamirez-Guevara, BeatrizRamos, Julio CesarSalazar, ValeriaTorres, EderTreviño, ErikaVillarreal, Dorothy

Donna HSZapata HSRio Grande City HSWeslaco HSHanna High SchoolEdinburg EconomidesDonna High SchoolHanna High SchoolEdinbrug NorthRio Grande City HSHanna High SchoolWeslaco High SchoolHanna High SchoolRio Grande City HSMcAllen High SchoolWeslaco HSJEHSSanta Rosa HSLyford HSRio Grande City HSHanna High SchoolHanna High SchoolVeterans Memorial MissionHanna High SchoolValley View HS Government/International Relations

Name High School MajorGEAR UPStudent Mentor

List


September 2012

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September 2012

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September 2012

Here is some of the feedback that was received from attendees:

HESTEC 2012was a BLAST!

Educator Day:

Student Leadership Day:

Latina Day:

Robotics Day:

“The keynote speaker made STEM relevant and gave me a way to bring it to my students.”

“The ability to network with other educators and share important ideas to use with students”

“Awesome day-lots of info to take back to my campus”

“I thought that it was epic, really no other words to describe. A life changing experience.”

“That the future is less than 20 years away”

“I learned about science that will help me in being a doctor.”

“It’s exciting and fun and I just want to learn more”

“Excellent presentations!! A ++++++”

“Learning to help my daughter and know

that I’m not alone that there [are] people

out there helping me to help her succeed

in her goals”

“Me agrado mucho y me gustaria

que mis hijas sigan estudiando hasta

terminar la universidad”

“This was awesome! PERIOD. “

“Robotics is fun”

“This is my first time and I enjoyed it thank you”

“It is a great way to have fun and study engineering and robotics”

“HESTEC Robotics Day has taught me a lot about teamwork and always doing your best, no matter how bad a situation seems”.

“This program gives me the chance to combine science, engineering, and math! I really enjoyed it and I hope to be back next year for HESTEC.”

“I love hestec and anything involved in this and I hope to be in more events involved with this”

For the full HESTEC 2012 Evaluation Report, please visit http://ww-

w.utpa.edu/hestec.


September 2012

The week of HESTEC, UTPA students were seen just about everywhere. From creating STEM activities for K12 attendees to participate in, to selling yummy festival foods during Community Day, UTPA students are important to the success of HESTEC. This year, more than 70 student organizations helped out in different facets, and about $30,000 was issued out in stipends to the organizations in exchange for their service during the week.

Student organizations in the College of Engineering and Computer Science hosted the Engineering Wonderland, through which they presented their engineering projects to HESTEC K12 students, teachers and parents.

The College of Science and Mathematics opened its doors to visiting students, parents and teachers as part of its Science Circus, which featured STEM activities and experiments!UTPA Mariachi Aztlán performed during HESTEC Latina Day. This award-winning group has performed at the Houston Grand Opera and for President Barack Obama.

Community Day is one of the student organizations’ high-est- grossing fundraising opportunities. Their profits during HES-TEC are often used in organizations’ operational expenses and other uses. Tau Kappa Epsilon held a “Smash Bash”, and a part of their proceeds were donated to a philanthropic organization.

Photos courtesy of The UTPA Student.


September 2012

EnginEErEd tough.Just likE hEr. At Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas our trucks are engineered

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and spurs innovation. Together with HESTEC, we join in enriching

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September 2012

September 28, 2012Thousands of college students from throughout Texas met with high-profile representatives from

some of the country’s top Fortune 500 companies. Representatives from corporations and govern-ment agencies showcased their goods, interviewed students for internships and sought to recruit prospective graduates for future employment. While the focus of the expo was on careers in the

fields of science, engineering and technology, the expo was open to all majors and all areas of study.

The annual expo, organized by UTPA’s Career Services, featured approximately 60 companies and government agencies looking for new employees. The organizations set up colorful displays, offered on-site interviews and handed out pens, food samples, bags and other gifts to encourage students

to visit their booths and apply for internship and work opportunities.

Lourdes Servantes, Career Services director, said 1,500 students, alumni and members of the public attended the expo, which provided students with a great networking opportunity at one

centralized location.

Fall Career Expo


September 2012


September 2012

Sept. 24-29, 2012Middle School Challenge

T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F T E X A S - P A N A M E R I C A N

"I want to be a

scientist, but I'm

more interested

in the physical,

like planets."

- 7th grader,

LLa Feria Green Junior High

"Middle school is the age when kids decide

if science and math are going to be something

they are going to do. We want to give them a

window to see that science is exciting, it is cool

and it is accessible.”

- Brian Jones, Director of the Little Shop of Physics

With over 3,500 students, HESTEC’s

Middle School Challenge 2012, showed

kids all over the Rio Grande Valley that

math and science is all around them,

that it is fun, and that it’s in any career

they may want to go into.


September 2012

You’ll improve their reading skills so they’re more likely to succeed

in school. That’s why H-E-B is supporting early childhood literacy

with our Read 3 campaign. Go to heb.com/read3 to learn more.

Read 3 times a week. Help shape a child’s mind.


September 2012

bright ideasAT&T is proud to support programs that create limitless possibilities for young minds. We believe that students who succeed in school, will also succeed in life.

That is why we salute HESTEC for transforming the lives of thousands of young people in our community.

© 2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved.


September 2012

The University of Texas-Pan American wrapped up another successful HESTEC on Sept. 29 as thousands came to the campus for Community Day.

Community Day featured multiple STEM exhibits and displays by federal and corporate partners. Those who attended had the opportunity to visit the Center of Excellence in STEM; Science Circus by the College of Science and Mathematics; Engineering Wonderland by the College of Engineering and Computer Science; the AEP Trailer; the HEB Planetarium; MICROBES: Invisible Invaders, Amazing Allies; the Little Shop of Physics whose participation is made possible through the National Science Foundation; the U.S. Navy Simulator; U.S. Army technological assets; and so much more!

Saturday, September 29, 2012Sponsored by H-E-B Tournament of Champions


September 2012

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September 2012

Story by: Burrell D. Parmer, Navy Recruiting District San Antonio Public AffairsPhotos courtesy of Master Chief Petty Officer Rene R. Cano

Lt. Roxanne Cano, a medical doctor

serving at Navy Medical Center San

Diego in the Ear, Nose, and Throat Program,

stands with her father, Master Chief Petty Officer Rene Cano,

after graduation from officer development

school in Newport Rhode Island in

July 2012.

Graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2003, Ensign Rene Cano, Jr., stands with his father, Master Chief Petty Officer Rene Cano. Lt. Cano currently serves as a nuclear officer aboard the USS Maryland and Master Chief Petty Officer Cano serves as the chief recruiter at Navy Recruiting District San Antonio.

SAN ANTONIO - On September 7, 1980, a chain reaction began which would eventually steer three family members to serve in the U.S. Navy. Born in Tamaulipas, Mexico (approximately 250 miles south of Brownsville) and the oldest of seven children, Master Chief Petty Officer Rene R. Cano is not only a proud Navy chief with more than 32 years of service, but also the proud father of 4 children, two of whom currently serve in the Navy.

Cano came to America with his family in 1974 and relocated in Eagle Lake, Texas.

“When I was around 4 years old, we moved closer to the border due to my father’s job as a truck driver in Reynosa, Tamaulipas;

his job entailed hauling brick to the northern states and Canada,” said Cano who stated that his father was able to provide all the

family’s basic needs.

Cano’s father acquired a job in Eagle Lake hauling sand and gravel to the cement mixers in Houston.

“At that time, Houston was booming in growth and demand for aggregate material was high,” said Cano. “After receiving a visa the same year, we all migrated to Eagle Lake.”

A graduate of Rice Consolidated High School in Altair, Texas and Colombia College of Missouri, Cano recalled why he joined the Navy.

“I remember getting closer to graduation in the spring of 1980 and asking myself, what’s next? I had been working as an assistant mechanic since I was 13 years old and had developed skills working on diesel engines and transmissions, so I was not that worried about getting a job, I already had one,” said Cano.

According to Cano, he did not have a plan on joining the service, but after being contacted by the various service recruiters, it happened.

“Chief Vera, my Navy recruiter called me to set up an appointment so I agreed. I remember that day just like if it was yesterday, Chief Vera arrived at my house in his summer whites uniform and the first thing that went through my mind was that I wanted to wear that uniform,” said Cano. “I was sold before he even said anything. I knew then I wanted to serve my country, which had already overwhelmed me with opportunity and was offering me more.”

The opportunities provided to Cano were also taken advantage of by his two eldest children: Rene Cano, Jr., a nuclear officer serving aboard the USS Maryland and Roxanne Cano, a medical doctor serving at Navy Medical Center San Diego in the Ear, Nose, and Throat Program.

“I focused on education and stressed to my kids the avenues and opportunities the Navy has to offer. And of course it was no

secret how I felt about being an American and how proud I felt to serve in our Navy. I’m very proud of both my older kids; both are

lieutenants in the United States Navy. GO NAVY!”

Asked why he wanted to be a Navy recruiter, Cano said, “When I found out I was able to be a recruiter it registered right away. I had an opportunity to help provide the same opportunities I was enjoying myself. I enjoy telling my story because I want all those who qualify to be aware that the Navy is not just a job, it’s truly an exciting adventure full of opportunities. You don’t even have to knock on the door; all you have to do is walk through it. I love the NAVY!”

Cano serves as the chief recruiter for Navy Recruiting District San Antonio and his responsibilities are to find and recruit the highest qualified applicants for enlistment or commissioning in the Navy programs; manage, supervise and coordinate the use of all recruit-ing district’s resources, training and systems to attain recruiting goals; and serve as primary enlisted advisor to the commanding officer and recruiting operations officer in matters pertaining to production and personnel.


September 2012


September 2012

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September 2012

HESTEC 2012

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