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The Infinity Project Helps Texas High Schools Meet New 4th Year Science Requirement, Prepares Students for University-Level Engineering

DALLAS, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An established engineering curriculum program is now positioned to help Texas principals and superintendents challenged to fill fall schedules with expanded science and math classes to adhere to new 4X4 graduation requirements.

Over 180 Texas high schools -- in Houston, Spring, Austin, San Antonio, DFW, Pflugerville, Rio Grande Valley and other districts -- already offer The Infinity Project for science- and math-based engineering coursework, credited as an elective class.

Beginning with the 2010-11 academic year, juniors and seniors may add engineering to their schedules to meet science graduation requirements, prepare themselves to major in engineering at the university level, and eventually succeed in fields reporting a critical shortage of qualified graduates, such as biomedical and environmental engineering.

"This cost-effective, standards-based classroom technology takes learning to the next level," says Teresa Green, Director of Science in the Houston area's Spring ISD. "Our teachers are well trained to deliver cutting-edge classroom material that is flexible enough to use as a standalone 4th year science course, or incorporated into existing science, math, or career and technology classes."

SMU Lyle School of Engineering, Texas Instruments, National Instruments, the U.S. Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, and others developed The Infinity Project 10 years ago to help students see the real value of science and math and encourage this generation to pursue careers in engineering. The Infinity Project has impacted over 5,000 students in 38 states.

"Students who complete biology, chemistry, and physics now have the opportunity to add engineering as a graduation credit," says Tammy Richards, Associate Dean of SMU's Lyle School of Engineering and Executive Director of The Infinity Project. Richards advocated adding engineering as a 4th year science graduation credit in Texas, in compliance with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements.

"We've been preparing all along for this," adds Dianna McAtee, Director of Academic Relations for The Infinity Project. "Our partner schools are now well positioned to meet the 4X4 requirements, and we are reaching out to districts searching for a turnkey solution to quickly and cost-effectively add rigorous and relevant engineering courses."

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Tammy Richards

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SOURCE THE INFINITY PROJECT / TEXAS MULLINS