SAN BENITO — For some students, summer is for relaxing and hanging out with friends.
But for others, the season is a time to get ahead academically.
This summer, 25 high-achieving San Benito students will take part in UTRGV’s TexPrep, or Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program.
The seven-week program expands on students’ knowledge of the STEM field and puts that into action with hands-on activities and projects.
Students enrolled in the program take classes Monday to Thursday in subjects such as math, computer science, engineering and science.
At the end of the week, students will compete in weekly project competitions where guest speakers are invited to speak on the subject of their projects.
San Benito assistant superintendent of academic services Hector Madrigal said the district has partnered with the university to provide students with the opportunity to take advantage of the program.
Students who have applied and passed the entrance exam are provided with the tuition and travel necessary to complete the program.
“I wish more kids took advantage of this opportunity,” Madrigal said.
Programs like these are often competing with the summer and students’ plans for vacation and activities such as summer sports leagues.
“It’s just about letting kids know what is available for them,” Madrigal said.
While the program is open to students in middle school and high school, district officials said the largest application count comes from their sixth-grade students.
Once the students are in the program, they can continue for four years if they choose and if they continue to meet the requirements.
The program is year round with six monthly meetings spread out throughout the school year to keep students academically in shape and prepare for the next summer.
The Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program is a hands-on, academically challenging, seven-week program for students in middle school and high school.
The program includes academic class work, role models, mentoring and career awareness in STEM fields.
