State’s Robotics Education Programs get Major Boosts from UT Austin and TWC
There were two major announcements in Austin on the state’s robotics education front this week.
UT Austin Launches Nation’s First Undergraduate Direct Admission Robotics Program
UT Austin on Thursday announced (press release/details) the launch of what is believed to be the first undergraduate robotics program in the nation that allows high school students to apply directly for admission to the program at the same time they are applying to the university.
Prior to this launch, students had to be admitted to UT Austin first and later apply to the robotics program as freshman or sophomore students.
From now on, students who know they want to pursue robotics can commit to UT Austin knowing they will be in the program without having to go through additional applications later on.
Robotics students at UT Austin major in engineering or computer science and minor in robotics while conducting hands-on research projects.
Admitted students will start robotics research during their first year at UT Austin and start the minor curriculum their second year.
The Dallas Morning News has more.
TWC Awards $1.4 Million in Grants to Foster Youth Robotics Competitions
Earlier this week, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) announced the awarding of $1.4 million in grants for youth robotics programs to enable more than 8,200 high school students to participate in robotics focused competitions.
Grants of $700,000 each were awarded to:
- Robotics Education and Competition Foundation, Inc. (REC Foundation) to serve 2,480 students on 170 teams — 25 of which will consist of students with disabilities.
- Foundation For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology in Texas (FIRST in Texas) to serve 5,800 high school students on more than 350 teams — 30 of which will consist of students with disabilities.
