The need for broad cooperative effort directed toward the enhancement of science and mathematics education, including environmental science and technology, has been recognized as a national priority in the United States by government, industry, and the academic community. In an effort to address this need, the Partnership for Environmental Technology Education (PETE) has been established in the five western states of Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah. PETE's overall objectives are to link the technical resources of the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Defense and NASA laboratories and facilities, and private industry with participating community colleges to assist in the development and presentation of curricula for training environmental hazardous materials technicians and to encourage more transfer students to pursue studies in environmental science and engineering at four-year institutions. Preliminary results of a national assessment of the demand for these two-year-level technicians indicate the demand. Standing working groups have been formed to develop teaching materials and standards and an appropriate certification process. The PETE methodology is now being extended nationally through highly leveraged cooperation between participating federal agencies, private industry, and the academic community. (YLB)