El Paso Computes: UTEP, City, EPISD Team up to Teach El Paso Kids Coding, Artificial Intelligence
Program will train teachers in beginner coding, AI and data literacy, building foundation for computer science education
EL PASO, Texas (Sept. 25, 2025) – Children throughout the city will soon be learning foundational artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data literacy skills thanks to a new partnership between UTEP, the City of El Paso and El Paso Independent School District (EPISD).
The institutions recently announced El Paso Computes, a new initiative that aims to build capacity for computer science education in K-12 schools throughout the region. The work is funded by a $3 million grant from the City of El Paso.
“Computing is a ‘must-have’ skill in today’s world,” said UTEP President Heather Wilson. “Our partnerships with the school districts and the city make possible things in El Paso that are hard in other places. Together, we will open doors to opportunity for every kid by working with one of the most important people in their lives — their teacher.”
The El Paso Computes program will educate a minimum of 250 current and aspiring teachers each year in computational thinking and data skills. In turn, these teachers will impart computer science literacy to at least 20,000 K-12 students throughout the region.
“This initiative is about giving El Paso students the skills to succeed in the careers we’re working to grow right here at home,” said El Paso Mayor Renard U. Johnson. “By building a strong foundation in coding, AI and data literacy, we’re connecting classrooms to the cutting-edge industries we’re growing — from advanced manufacturing and aerospace to defense, biomedical innovation and other technology-driven industries. This program is an investment in our teachers, our students and the future of El Paso’s economy.”
UTEP has a longstanding partnership with local school districts to train new teachers, said College of Education Dean Clifton Tanabe, Ph.D., who is overseeing the new program.
“El Paso Computes is about building computer science education capacity in schools across our city,” he said. “As opposed to classes that teach basic computer usage, computational thinking focuses on learning to solve problems using techniques from computer science.”
According to Tanabe, overall employment in computer and information technology occupations is expected to grow faster than other occupations through 2033, and many professions now require some level of computational thinking and data literacy.
El Paso Computes will use several types of programming to increase computer science and computational thinking capacity in schools. These include offering classes to current teachers to help them attain computer science certifications, incorporating computer science training into bachelor’s degree programs in the College of Education and developing city-wide cybersecurity competitions for middle and high school students.
While all school districts in the region will eventually participate in El Paso Computes, EPISD is piloting the program within its district.
“At El Paso ISD we’re proud to pioneer innovation and opportunity for the families of our region,” said Interim Superintendent Martha Aguirre. “With this program we are providing our teachers opportunities to enhance their skillset and advance technological literacy for our students; but more importantly, we are also inspiring a spark within the learners of El Paso to push the boundaries of their imagination. With our vocational programs and advancing academics we’re empowering children to build fulfilling lives and help our city flourish.”
About The University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 26,000 students are Hispanic, and more than half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 171 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.
Last Updated on September 25, 2025 at 12:00 AM | Originally published September 25, 2025
By MC Staff UTEP Marketing and Communications
