ExoPlanet Technologies Delivered Successful SIFF Workshops for the Hispanics Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) STEM Conference at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)

HACU Youth Leadership Development Forum (YLDF) - October 7, 2016

ExoPlanet Technologies delivered a series of STEM related workshops at a conference hosted by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) at the University of Texas at San Antonio.   Anthony C. Bruins I and Michael McCullar delivered creative, innovative workshops that challenged the students with real-world problems from the space industry.

Through our SIFF workshops, we engaged the students right and left brain, minds and senses all at the same time. The energy released from the students was explosively contagious once their thinking unlocked from traditional methods of memorization.   In our four workshops for the day, the students generated over sixty new ideas per class for various ways of developing Cubesats for the Macho Mengi (M2) Observatory System.

We received survey data from over 128 students.

Data showed a 23% gain in numbers of students wanting to pursue STEM careers.

 We received the following feedback:

"As you will see, your overall message of “There are no dumb ideas and  failure can lead to success” is prevalent throughout their comments.  This means that they heard you and it really stuck with them."

-- Belinda Grace Saldaña Harmon, MPA
   Institute for P-20 Initiatives
   Director of Community Outreach
   The University of Texas at San Antonio

"I think they should invite maybe more students to help make it go viral." -- student, Kitty Hawk MS

"I have learned a lot, and I've been inspired to become a scientist" -- student, Kitty Hawk MS

"The most important thing I learned was there is no stupid answers and nothing is impossible." -- student, JSTEM Academy

"I learned many new and important things during the event. For example, I learned that failure can lead to new ideas and success. Additionally, I learned that I should think outside the box to explore new areas." -- student, JSTEM Academy

"The most important thing I learned is that it is good to be a successful failure. " -- student, JSTEM Academy

"The true meaning of Engineering" -- student, Whittier MS

"I loved Dr. Bruins. His energy and allowing me to channel my ideas to a real world problem. " -- student, Somerset HS

"From Dr. Bruins, think freely and anything is possible. Never settle for being mediocre. " -- student, Somerset HS

"Don’t be afraid to be a successful failure." -- student, Somerset HS

"The STEM field has much more vast variety of opportunities than what 
I first considered. This has opened my eyes and helped me see there is more." -- student, Kazen MS

"The most important thing I learned from the 2016 HACU YDLF event is to not feel bad
if you fail because it is the key to success" -- student, Kazen MS