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The United States does not produce as many scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and computer scientists as it needs to be competitive with other industrialized nations. Fluctuations in the economy, bad business decisions by certain companies, and reports of outsourcing of jobs to other countries have all created a negative perception of a student's chances at doing well in such careers. In spite of this perception, companies with a need for technical expertise are concerned that universities are not producing enough qualified graduates to meet their needs. The Texas Youth in Technology grant was specifically designed to encourage a revival in the interest that Texas students have in the more technology-oriented majors and careers. The grant funded scholarships for students who consider a CS major, paid wages to mentors who assisted us in retaining students who try out our program, and supported educational programs designed to inform high school students and authority figures of the advantages of a technology-oriented career and encourage high school students to prepare themselves for computer science and other technology-oriented majors. |