Astronaut Jose Hernandez lands at Memorial High School to promote STEM careers
Astronaut Jose Hernandez discusses STEM careers with students at Memorial High School in Edgewood ISD
Astronaut Jose Hernandez discusses STEM careers with students at Memorial High School in Edgewood ISD
Share this Story(Jan. 19, 2012) -- Students at Memorial High School in the Edgewood ISD were flying high Jan. 18 when they met with Jose Hernandez and learned about the career choices that landed him a seat on a mission to the International Space Station. During the visit, made possible by a partnership between Edgewood ISD and the UTSA Academy for Teacher Excellence, Hernandez encouraged the students to work hard in school and consider science, technology, engineering, mathematics and related careers.
Born Aug. 7, 1962, Hernandez is one of four children of a migrant farming family from Mexico. He learned to speak English at age 12, and while in high school, he participated in Upward Bound, a federal college preparedness program. While majoring in electrical engineering at the University of the Pacific, he participated in the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program, an academic program that supports students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds while they pursue their four-year degrees. He holds a master's degree in electrical and computer engineering from UC Santa Barbara.
In 2001, Hernandez joined Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, as an engineer in the Materials and Processes branch before NASA selected him in 2004 for Astronaut Candidate Training. By February 2006, he completed NASA astronaut training, and in fall 2009 was a crewmember of the STS-128 Discovery, NASA's 128th shuttle mission and its 30th mission to the International Space Station.
Hernandez visited with students from Edgewood's Memorial High School and Toltech T-STEM Academy. The program, a school-within-a-school project, encourages high school students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and related fields by offering additional STEM instruction and giving them the opportunity to earn college credits before graduating from high school.
The UTSA Academy for Teacher Excellence, which supports the FIPSE-iCLASS program at Memorial High School and its Toltech T-STEM Academy, was established as a hub for school districts, community colleges and UTSA to collaboratively research, design, implement and evaluate educational programs that address emerging, local and statewide educational issues associated with a growing diverse student population.
The academy is a critical element of the UTSA College of Education and Human Development teacher education programs and has helped UTSA achieve national recognition as a leader in preparing teachers to teach in culturally diverse settings.
Events
The Racial Justice Book Club was established at UTSA by members of the campus community to explore social justice following acts of racial violence across the nation over the last few years. We are reading The Injustice Never Leaves You: Anti-Mexican Violence in Texas by Monica Muñoz Martinez. We will meet every Wednesday in September and October at 2 pm on Zoom.
Virtual EventCelebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at our very own street fair - Calle UTSA. We will have activities, performances, food, music, and piñatas to break open.
Student Union Paseo"La Plática" is a space for thoughtful dialogue to build a sense of connection among the Roadrunner Community by getting to know each other better and sharing what's on our minds and about ourselves to increase to increase awareness of diverse perspectives.
Virtual EventThis September 30, the Friday Series will feature Prof. Milena Ang, who will be presenting A Tren to Nowhere: Statistic Development and the Politics of Racial, a paper co-authored with Tania Islas-Weistein where they discuss Mexico's long history of state-led development projects that contribute to economic and racial inequality. The authors argue that despite professing racial justice, official discourses surrounding the Tren Maya reproduce existing symbolic and material forms of racism.
McKinney Humanities (MH 4.01.01,) Main CampusWe invite you to learn about the process of screenwriting and explore the intersection of identity and pursuing dreams from Jorge Ramirez-Martinez and Raymond Perez, screenwriters for the Selena: The Series, released on Netflix. They will discuss their careers and writing process, including how their identities as Mexican American and gay men have shaped their professional experiences.
Virtual EventPlease join us in remembering those who have entered the next part of life by designing a nicho box in their memory. This workshop will provide the necessary items to create your nicho box, though please remember to bring a photo or small object that can fit in a 3.5 x5x1 inch box (small jewelry box).
John Peace Library GroupSpot B, Main CampusLMSA invites you to join us in celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month through an interactive cooking lesson! This cultural experience will teach you how to prepare a popular Mexican dish, street taquitos. You will be able to sample this dish and learn the recipe to use in your own home.
Recreation Wellness Center Demo Kitchen
