Sam Houston State University biology students will teach high school-level biology labs at Texas Autism Academy through a collaboration announced Sept. 4. As of early September, more than 15 SHSU students had volunteered and 20 labs were scheduled in 2024-25.

The backstory

TAA, a nonprofit private school, is in its eighth year of operation for 35 students ages five to 18 diagnosed with autism, according to the release. According to the release, autism affects one in 36 children. TAA moved to its current building on Tamina Road in Magnolia in 2023 from its original location on Budde Road in The Woodlands.

Quotes of note
  • “We are thrilled by this exciting program that has already had one successful lab session at our school,” said Shelinta Perez and Cary Mollinedo, cofounders of TAA, in a statement.
  • “These labs taught by the amazing SHSU biology students will expand and grow curriculum opportunities for our older students. We are forever grateful to TAA student parent Dr. Jordan Clark for establishing this amazing partnership with SHSU," Perez said.
  • “Having firsthand knowledge of the great work TAA has done for our son, I am particularly proud of this opportunity for our SHSU students from the department of biology to teach these labs at TAA,” said Clark, course coordinator and head instructor in the SHSU Department of Biological Sciences. According to the release, Clark founded and acts as senior advisor for Autism Unites, a program serving SHSU students.
Learn more

Parents can learn more about the programs by contacting [email protected] or 281-771-5348, and Jordan Clark at [email protected] or 713-899-0688.