The Renewable Clean Energy and Nuclear Technologies (ReCENT) Workforce Development program, formerly the Nuclear Power Institute (NPI), is dedicated to fostering partnerships and developing impactful programs for young people and educators to cultivate a skilled workforce in clean energies and nuclear technologies.
The program aims to support and sustain a dynamic clean energy industry in Texas.
Building upon NPI’s established foundation, ReCENT will expand its educational focus to encompass a broader range of clean energy technologies and programming beyond PK-12 initiatives into the non-academic training arena. This approach strengthens our ability to attract and prepare the next generation of energy professionals, which is crucial to the future of sustainable energy in our state.
Outreach
Power Up & Power Up Jr.
The Power Up and Power Up Jr. programs are for high school and middle school students, respectively, who are interested in expanding their knowledge and understanding of careers in nuclear technologies, clean energies and renewable energies. Formerly the Workforce Industry Training (WIT) and WIT Jr. Programs, ReCENT will continue to engage our network and Power Up programming will continue to mentor, encourage and prepare students for the future Texas workforce utilizing Texas A&M University programs, partner institutions and industries, and other Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) partners.
By participating in Power Up, students gain exposure to higher education and career opportunities through field trips, presentations and other events while building the confidence and enthusiasm to consider careers in nuclear technologies, clean energies and renewable energies in Texas.
Power Building, Uniting and Growing (Power BUG)
Power BUG is a Power Up-supported program with a yearlong commitment between a Power Up member mentor and a Power BUG mentee. The Power BUG group provides Power Up members an opportunity to give back by interacting and mentoring young elementary and middle school students — engaging them in academic activities that impassion these students to stay focused on a strong science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) path. Power BUG creates a spark that ignites a unique collaborative, nurturing relationship between older and younger students interested in STEM.
Partner Schools
- Alvarado High School
- Angleton High School
- Audie Murphy Middle School
- Bay City High School
- Boling High School
- Columbia-Brazoria ISD
- Dublin High School
- East Bernard High School
- El Campo High School
- El Campo Middle School
- Foster High School
- Fulshear High School
- Glen Rose High School
- Goose Creek- Lee High School
- Graham High School
- Granbury High School
- Keller Center for Advanced Learning
- Kempner High School
- Lamar Junior High
- Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School
- Louise High School
- Palacios High School
- Palacios Junior High
- PSJA LBJ Middle School
- PSJA Memorial Early College High School
- PSJA North Early College High School
- PSJA Thomas Jefferson T-STEM Early College High School
- Randle High School
- Raymond Mays Middle School
- Saenz Middle School
- Salado High School
- Salado Middle School
- South San Antonio
- Stephenville High School
- Sweeny High School
- Temple High School
- Terry High School
- Tidehaven High School
- Troy High School
- Van Vleck High School
- Van Vleck Middle School
- Wharton High School
Professional Development & Training
Providing Practical Tools for Awareness and Engagement. Through professional development, ReCENT provides educators with strategies to engage students in renewable energies, clean energies and nuclear technologies and their importance in addressing global sustainability challenges, promoting understanding and exploration of career opportunities.
Renewable Clean Energies and Nuclear Technologies (ReCENT) Educator Workshop:
- Explore Renewable Energies, Clean Energies, and Nuclear Technologies: This workshop introduces educators to renewable energy technologies, clean energies and nuclear technologies, highlighting their importance in sustainability, innovation and career opportunities for students. Educators will participate in activities that can be adapted for their classrooms.
- Focus on Energy Sustainability: Educators will collaborate in teams on an engineering design activity focused on energy sustainability. Educators will design and prototype sustainable structures, addressing real-world energy challenges.
- Support Awareness of Energy Technologies and Career Possibilities: The workshop equips educators with knowledge and resources to help students explore the role of renewable energies, clean energies, and nuclear technologies in addressing sustainability challenges and to consider future career opportunities in these fields.
- Upcoming Workshops:
- November 19-20, 2024, at Palacios ISD middle school and high school
- December 10, 2024, at Pharr ISD
- January 14, 2025, at Troy ISD
- March 4, 2025, at Lamar ISD