Texas Water Roadmap Forum: Workforce Education, Data, and Research. Institute for Water Resources Science and Technology

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and National Science Foundation Coordination Network on Climate, Energy, Environment and Engagement in Semiarid Regions (NSF/RCN-CE3SAR) co-sponsored the 2016 Texas Water Roadmap Forum. Focusing on workforce education, data, and research, the forum was hosted by the Institute for Water Resources Science and Technology on the campus of Texas A&M University–San Antonio on November 29, 2016. The forum brought together Texans from diverse technical, academic, research, management, and business backgrounds in water to participate in the third in a series of water roadmap forums facilitated by NSF/RCN-CE3SAR. By envisioning a future Texas where water security is assured for people, industry, food pro- duction, and nature, forum participants sought to develop solid plans to set priorities for action and frame key mile- stones with an overall goal of securing Texas’ water future.https://digitalcommons.tamusa.edu/water_books/1004/thumbnail.jp

Water Education Leadership in Texas: Pathway for Students from Middle School to University Degree

Connecting students to water while they are in middle and high school is thought to be a key to making a connection to the importance of water and possibly stimulating high school graduates to consider technical training or a post-secondary degree in water. To take these students forward, Texas leaders in water education have advocated better alignment of existing technical training and degree programs. This alignment is considered an essential ingredient to building a pathway to careers in water. The post-secondary model relies on a mix of rigorous science and practical applied industry readiness training. Promoters of this model hope that early introduction to careers in water provided by Texas Aquatic Science will help students take this pathway to future employment in the water industry. It should be attractive to students seeking a clear path for a position in the water industry and long-term professional growth potential. It should also be attractive to practicing water professionals seeking a relevant university degree to enhance their own professional advancement opportunities