SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico. October 22, 2026 – Principals and teachers at regular public high schools are invited to join the 2027 cohort of TecLab Puerto Rico (TecLab PR), an initiative that develops science and technology skills among 9th through 12th grade students through hands-on educational experiences connected to the current needs of the job market.
As part of its expansion efforts, the initiative seeks to add new schools from the Arecibo, Bayamón, Caguas, Humacao and San Juan educational regions. Space is limited, and interested schools must complete the participation form on or before Friday, November 20, 2026.
TecLab PR is an initiative of the Fideicomiso para Ciencia, Tecnología e Investigación de Puerto Rico (FCTIPR), funded by the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC). Its purpose is to advance the future of Puerto Rican youth in biotechnology, information technology and emerging technologies by building skills that transfer to technical and university studies and offering learning experiences relevant to their academic and professional development.
The initiative is carried out through TecLab Clubs, established at participating regular public high schools. As part of the Clubs’ implementation, coordinating teachers receive professional training to lead the educational experiences. Meanwhile, the space assigned to each school’s Club is equipped with the materials and instruments needed for the 10-week sequence of activities each semester of the cohort. Participating students and their coordinating teachers meet once a week for two hours during extended school hours to carry out active learning activities in their chosen track: biotechnology or information technology.
Since its first cohort began in January 2025, TecLab PR has reached 293 students in the Ponce and Mayagüez educational regions through Clubs in nine municipalities. The initiative began at schools in Jayuya, Juana Díaz, Ponce, Peñuelas and Utuado, and later expanded to Adjuntas and Coamo in the Ponce educational region, as well as Sabana Grande in the Mayagüez educational region.
TecLab PR seeks to expand access to enriching educational experiences, especially for young people from communities with limited resources and first-generation students. In this way, it aims to help develop skills that strengthen their school experience and broaden their opportunities to continue their studies and explore future careers in science and technology.
How can a school participate?
Principals and teachers at regular public high schools interested in joining the TecLab PR 2027 cohort can complete the expression of interest form at the following link:
Interest form: https://bit.ly/4zoKoKD
The deadline to complete the form is Friday, November 20, 2026. Participation is subject to space availability.