“We all realize the critical role that Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education plays in enabling the U.S. to remain the economic and technological leaders of the global marketplace and enabling the Department of Defense and Army in the security of our nation. It is good to see that districts, divisions, labs and other U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ organizations are committed to teaming with others to strengthen STEM-related programs that inspire current and future generations of young people to pursue careers in STEM fields.”
– Lt. Gen. Thomas Bostick, U.S. Army Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Q. What is the Corps in the Classroom Program?
A. The program seeks to build relationships between U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District employees and underrepresented middle and high school students to encourage an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses and the pursuit of engineering and science career fields. The USACE Galveston District’s Corps in the Classroom Program directly supports the USACE STEM initiative to partner with others to strengthen STEM-related programs and motivate students to seek STEM-related occupations.
Q: What are the benefits of this program?
A: Corps in the Classroom provides students the opportunity to interact one-on-one with USACE Galveston District employees in a variety of STEM fields to ask questions about their professions, receive encouragement to pursue STEM-related careers and have the chance to meet women and minority professionals working in STEM occupations.
With gaps in STEM education often beginning before students attend college and continuing to increase as students graduate and pursue higher education, the USACE Galveston District is working with community educators in middle and high schools to spark an interest in STEM subjects, help counter stereotypes and increase the participation of underrepresented groups in STEM courses.
Q. How does the program support the USACE STEM initiative?
A. USACE Galveston District staff participates in more than 30 STEM-related events throughout the year ranging from judging science fairs to being guest speakers. These combined outreach initiatives aim to mentor youth and attract females and minorities to work in STEM-related fields, who may one day join the USACE Galveston District and become part of a workforce that boasts a 52 percent population of women and minorities employed in STEM-related positions.
Q. Why is it important that the USACE Galveston District support this program?
A. Staff recognizes the role that STEM education plays in allowing the U.S. to remain the economic and technological leader of the global economy and understands that both public and private sectors must work together to make STEM education a priority. The USACE Galveston District staff is committed to working with local schools to help close the performance gap in underrepresented students’ educational achievement in STEM.
Q. How can educational institutions request the USACE Galveston District’s participation?
A. School representatives may contact the district’s Public Affairs Office at swgpao@usace.army.mil.
Q: Where can I learn more about USACE Galveston District’s Corps in the Classroom Program?
A: Learn more about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District’s Corps in the Classroom Program at http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/BusinessWithUs/PublicAffairsOffice/CorpsintheClassroom.aspx. Find us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/GalvestonDistrict or follow us on Twitter, www.twitter.com/USACEgalveston.
ABOUT US: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District, established in 1880 and fondly known as the "Custodians of the Coast," plays a key role in America’s well-being by keeping waterways open for navigation and commerce and serves the nation as part of the world’s largest public engineering, design and construction management agency. Encompassing the Texas coast from Louisiana to Mexico; an area that spans across 50,000 square miles, contains more than 1,000 miles of channels (750 shallow-draft and 250 deep-draft), serves 28 ports and 700 miles of coastline, the district successfully executes its mission of providing vital public engineering services in peace and war to strengthen our nation’s security, energize the economy and reduce risks from disasters. With its 330 dedicated professionals, the Galveston District will continue to provide valuable navigation, flood risk mitigation, ecosystem restoration, shoreline protection, regulatory services, military construction and emergency management services to our nation and remains fully committed to continuing our mission of "BUILDING STRONG."