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Teachers Explore Engineering, Cybersecurity, Manufacturing and More Through Industry Partnerships

IDRA’s 2026 STEM teacher externship program connects educators with engineering firms, research laboratories, manufacturers and environmental organizations. Through immersive workplace experiences, teachers gain practical knowledge and classroom-ready ideas that help students explore STEM careers and prepare for future workforce opportunities.

(July 15, 2026 • San Antonio) IDRA kicked off our fourth annual externship program in summer 2026, bringing together teachers and local industry partners for immersive workplace learning. By sharing their expertise and day-to-day work, industry professionals help educators connect classroom learning with real-world STEM careers.

These career connections make learning more meaningful for students as they explore STEM degrees and careers, while giving teachers new ideas and tools to bring real-world STEM learning into their classrooms.

With four out of five jobs requiring STEM skills over the next decade, there is a global priority of preparing students for STEM college and careers. Through programs like our summer externships, IDRA is creating a launchpad into the future of STEM and leadership for youth.

Placement: Garver

Garver is an employee-owned engineering, planning, and environmental services firm focused on aviation, transportation, buildings, federal, water and wastewater services; surveying; advisory services; and construction engineering and inspection.

At Garver, externs observed civil engineering, planning and environmental services and spent time with each business line. They also learned how Garver uses STEM to solve real-world problems in aviation engineering, transportation, bridges, water systems and more.

June Vasquez

Northside School of Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (NSITE) High School,

Northside ISD

Marylu Rodríguez

Southwest High School,

Southwest ISD

Placement: DEVCOM Army Research Lab (ARL) and University of Texas at San Antonio

The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, or DEVCOM, Army Research Laboratory, is the Army’s sole fundamental research laboratory serving as the nexus between the military, industry and academia, including the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), which is recognized for its strengths in cybersecurity, engineering and workforce development.

Externs worked alongside the DEVCOM Army Research Lab (ARL) and UTSA faculty to co-develop a cybersecurity curriculum and a community outreach plan.

Domingo Ruíz

South San Antonio High School – CTE,

South San Antonio ISD

Raúl Gálvez

KIPP Somos Collegiate,

KIPP Texas

Placement: Cox Manufacturing Company

Cox Manufacturing Company is a San Antonio-based precision machining company that produces high-quality components for industries including aerospace, medical devices and defense.

Externs saw the entire manufacturing process throughout the facility and spent most of their time with the engineering department. They learned how to use math and science to solve real-world problems as a team.

María Luisa Cárdenas

Carrillo Elementary School,

South San Antonio ISD

Raquel Neaves

Reed Elementary,

Northside ISD

Placement: Elevate Systems

Elevate Systems is a product design and development company specializing in mechanical engineering services, FEA analysis services, and prototype design & production.

Externs are exploring SOLIDWORKS, 3D printing, AI tools, and Elevate Systems’ curriculum. They will work alongside staff in the engineering and technology department, as well as college student interns who are working on various projects.

Martha Rodríguez

Southwest High School,

Southwest ISD

Deandra Whitby

Karen Wagner High School,

Judson ISD

Placement: San Antonio River Authority

The San Antonio River Authority manages, protects and enhances the San Antonio River Basin through flood management, water quality, environmental stewardship and public education.

Externs are taking part in the new-employee tour that showcases the breadth of departments within the San Antonio River Authority that carry out the mission of safe, clean, and enjoyable creeks and rivers.

They are joining the environmental sciences and engineering department staff in the field as they conduct land surveys, see current projects across the city, tag species, and analyze samples from the waterways of the San Antonio River Basin in SARA’s chemistry labs. Externs are also working with guidance from the education team to craft an activity or piece of curriculum that can be used and field-tested both with students and in river authority education and outreach programming.

Angelena Watkins

JSTEM Academy,

Judson ISD

Mary Rodríguez

Holmes High School,

Northside ISD

See Extern Bios

This program in 2026 was made possible with the support of the Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC). IDRA is seeking sponsorships to continue the program in 2027 and beyond.

FAQs

What is the IDRA STEM teacher externship program?

The IDRA STEM teacher externship program places educators with engineering firms, research laboratories, manufacturers and environmental organizations so they can gain workplace experience and bring real-world STEM learning back to their classrooms.

Who participates in the externship program?

The 2026 program includes elementary, middle and high school teachers from school districts across the San Antonio area.

What do teachers do during the externship?

Teachers work alongside industry professionals, observe STEM careers, participate in hands-on projects and develop ideas they can use to connect classroom instruction with future careers.

Why are industry partnerships important for STEM education?

Industry partnerships help teachers understand how STEM is used in the workplace, making classroom learning more relevant and helping students explore college and career opportunities.