Unit 12 Contemporary Texas

The Need for New Industries With the oil decline of the 1980’s, new industries were needed in Texas to create new jobs. Hurricane Rita , which hit the eastern coastline of Texas on September 24, 2005, caused a decline in the Forest and Lumber Industries in East Texas. People began moving into the urban areas of Texas (Urbanization) where there was an increase in service related jobs.

Service Industry What is a service related industry? An industry made up of companies that primarily earn revenue through providing intangible products and services. Service industry companies are involved in retail, transport, distribution, food services, as well as other service-dominated businesses. Can you name some service related jobs?

Migration As people moved to Texas, they came from many other states as well as other countries. Can you name a few of the countries? Can you discuss what part of their culture is still shared in Texas today?

Cultural Diversity Individuals migrating to Texas resulted in cultural diversity. What does cultural diversity mean? the existence of a variety of cultural or ethnic groups within a society

Effects of Changing Population Distribution Make a Bubble Chart Fast growing school districts-result in the need for more teachers to fill job positions and the need for more schools to be built. Demand for greater tax base (the need for more money from property taxes)

Science and Technology in Contemporary Texas

Alternative Energy Make a Political, Economic, Social Chart Political Development Funding, tax breaks, and legislation for alternative energy sources Economic Development Initial use of alternative energy sources is costly but over time and with more use it becomes less costly. Social Development Citizens use alternative energy sources to cool, heat and power homes and buildings, such as sun and wind energy.

Impact of Significant Industries Make a Bubble Chart Oil and Gas Houston and Dallas are the home office of many oil companies Houston, Beaumont, and Corpus Christi are the home of oil refineries. Aerospace NASA was located in Houston and other aerospace industries grew from this. It brought many jobs to the Houston area as well as other cities. Medical Technology MD Anderson Cancer Research Hospital is the leading research hospital in the nation. Most large and mid-size urban areas are medical hubs. Asa result of MD Anderson, Houston has become the center of science and medicine.

Results of Technological Advances Make a Bubble Chart Brought prosperity and economic diversity to Texas. Contributed to Texas economic interdependence with the world which integrated Texas into the global economy

Texas Leaders in Science and Technology Make a Bubble Chart Walter Cunningham – In 1968, he was aboard the first Apollo spacecraft to carry astronauts into space. Michael DeBakey – developed procedures to prevent heart attacks. In 1966, he was the first surgeon to fully implant a mechanical heart pump in a patient. Denton Cooley – In 1969, he became the first surgeon to perform a human heart transplant. Benjy Brooks – In 1958, she became the first woman to become a pediatric surgeon in the state of Texas. Michael Dell- In 1984, he founded Dell computers.

Contributions to the Arts by Texans Make a Bubble Chart Horton Foote – Foote was an American playwright and screenwriter. He was best known for his Academy Award winning screenplay Tender Mercies. In 2000, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts.