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Posted: 8/30/18

TAMIU Receives INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine’s 2018 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award

 

Award Logo from Diversity Magazine
 

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) College of Arts and Sciences’ School of Engineering has received national recognition as a recipient of the 2018 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education.

TAMIU’S recognized program, “STEM and Robotics Day,” which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education MSEIP Grant and in collaboration with TAMIU DustyTRON NASA Robotics teams, will be featured alongside 77 other programs selected nationwide in the magazine’s September issue. The Inspiring Programs in STEM Award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Project and program director, Dr. Tariq Tashtoush, TAMIU School of Engineering assistant professor, said the project is a favorite activity of students and is a popular community outreach initiative.

“NASA DustyTRON and DustySWARM are two of the different engineering design projects that TAMIU offers to its students. These projects, led by TAMIU School of Engineering students, provide local school students, especially females with unique exposure opportunities to applied STEM in our DustyTRON mining robot and DustySWARM Collaborative robots.  DustyTRON has the ability to move, excavate and collect ice (simulated rocks from Mars). Created and operated by students, robots had competed and received multiple awards in NASA’s Robotic Mining Competition and NASA Swarmathon Challenge at the Kennedy Space Center, in Florida.  It’s one of our favorite activities and we all really look forward to it annually,” Dr.  Tashtoush said.

Inspiring Programs in STEM Award winners were selected by INSIGHT Into Diversitybased on efforts to inspire and encourage a new generation of young people to consider careers in STEM through mentoring, teaching, research, and successful programs and initiatives. 

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine owner and publisher, Leonore Pearlstein, said the Magazine hopes to shine a light on program efforts for underrepresented students that are not always recognized.

“We know that many STEM programs are not always recognized for their success, dedication, and mentorship for underrepresented students,” said Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversitymagazine, “We want to honor the schools and organizations that have created programs that inspire and encourage young people who may currently be in or are interested in a future career in STEM. We are proud to honor these programs as role models to other institutions of higher education and beyond.”

A call for nominations for this award was announced in April 2018. 

For more information about the 2018 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award and INSIGHT Into Diversitymagazine, visit insightintodiversity.com.

To learn more about the “STEM and Robotics Day” and all upcoming events, visit: http://www.tamiu.edu/coas/soen/tamiu-mseip-esire.shtml, call 956.326.2600 or email Dr. Tariq H. Tashtoush, at tariq.tashtoush@tamiu.edu

To learn more about the TAMIU College of Arts and Sciences’ School of Engineering, visit: http://www.tamiu.edu/coas/soen/index.shtml, call 956.326.2408 or email the School director, Dr. Guillermo C. Dominguez, at guillermoC.Dominguez@tamiu.edu.

For additional University information, contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 326.2180, email prmis@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268.

Information is also available on the University’s social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube @txamiu.

Student participants in program.