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

IDRA’s STEM teacher externship program gives educators firsthand experience in STEM workplaces so they can connect classroom learning with real-world careers in engineering, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, environmental science and more.

IDRA kicked off our fourth annual STEM 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 as students 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, preparing students for STEM college and careers must be a priority. Through programs like our teacher externship, IDRA is creating a launchpad for youth to build a future in STEM and leadership.

For the externship program, IDRA selected 10 teachers out of the almost 100 applicants and placed them in pairs with local industry partners who graciously served as hosts. Teachers then developed STEM lessons based on their experiences to take back to their schools. Teacher externs also are well positioned to communicate about STEM careers to families.

Watch or listen to our interview with two externs: From STEM Externship to Community Impact – IDRA Classnotes Podcast Episode 259

Garver

Externs June Vasquez and Marylu Rodríguez observed Garver’s 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. Garver is an employee-owned engineering, planning, and environmental services firm focused on aviation, transportation, buildings, water and wastewater services; surveying; and construction engineering and inspection.

Cox Manufacturing Company

STEM teachers María Luisa Cárdenas and Raquel Neaves saw the entire manufacturing process at Cox Manufacturing Company and focused time with the engineering department. They learned how to use math and science to solve real-world problems as a team. Cox Manufacturing Company is a San Antonio-based precision machining company that produces high-quality components for industries including aerospace, medical devices and defense.

DEVCOM Army Research Lab and University of Texas at San Antonio

Externs Domingo Ruiz and Raúl Gálvez worked in the Army Research Laboratory and with faculty at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) to co-develop a cybersecurity curriculum and a community outreach plan. The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory is the Army’s fundamental research lab serving as the nexus between the military, industry and academia which is recognized for its strengths in cybersecurity, engineering and workforce development.

Elevate Systems

Teacher externs Martha Rodríguez and Deandra Whitby explored SOLIDWORKS, 3D printing, AI tools, and Elevate Systems’ curriculum. They worked alongside staff in the engineering and technology department. Elevate Systems is a product design and development company specializing in mechanical engineering services, FEA analysis services, and prototype design and production.

San Antonio River Authority

Externs Angelena Watkins and Mary Rodríguez joined the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) environmental sciences and engineering department staff in the field to 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. They also crafted a classroom activity that can be used and field-tested both with their students and in SARA’s education and outreach programming. SARA manages, protects and enhances the river basin through flood management, water quality, environmental stewardship and public education.

IDRA is seeking sponsorships to continue the program in 2027 and beyond. Contact Stephanie Garcia, Ph.D. stephanie.garcia@idra.org).

2026 STEM Externs

June Vasquez, Northside School of Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship High School, Northside ISD

Marylu Rodríguez, Southwest High School, Southwest ISD

María Luisa Cárdenas, Carrillo Elementary School, South San Antonio ISD

Raquel Neaves, Reed Elementary, Northside ISD

Domingo Ruiz, South San Antonio High School – CTE, South San Antonio ISD

Raúl Gálvez, KIPP Somos Collegiate, KIPP Texas

Martha Rodríguez, Southwest High School, Southwest ISD

Deandra Whitby, Karen Wagner High School, Judson ISD

Angelena Watkins, JSTEM Academy, Judson ISD

Mary Rodríguez, Holmes High School, Northside ISD

Hear their reflections in our webinar replay: Career-Connected Classrooms.

Learn more: here.

FAQ 

What is a STEM teacher externship?
A STEM teacher externship gives educators firsthand experience in STEM workplaces. Teachers learn from industry professionals, explore how STEM skills are used on the job and bring what they learn back to their students through classroom lessons and career exploration.

How does IDRA’s STEM teacher externship program work?
IDRA pairs educators with industry partners for immersive workplace learning. In 2026, IDRA selected 10 teachers from almost 100 applicants. The educators worked in pairs with host organizations and then developed STEM lessons based on their experiences.

What STEM careers did teachers explore through IDRA’s 2026 externships?
Teachers explored careers and applications involving civil and environmental engineering, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, 3D printing, AI, product design, water quality and environmental science.

How do teacher externships help students explore STEM careers?
Teacher externships give educators real-world examples they can bring into their classrooms. Teachers can show students how subjects like math, science and technology are used in the workplace and help students and families learn about STEM college and career opportunities.

Who participated in IDRA’s 2026 STEM teacher externship program?
Ten educators from San Antonio-area schools participated in the 2026 program. They worked with Garver, Cox Manufacturing Company, the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory and UTSA, Elevate Systems, and the San Antonio River Authority.

[© 2026, IDRA. This article originally appeared in the August edition of the IDRA Newsletter. Permission to reproduce this article is granted provided the article is reprinted in its entirety and proper credit is given to IDRA and the author.]