Yearly Archives: 2015

Outside-the-box Madison team wins Energy City of Future contest and $2,000

Three Madison High School students have been rewarded for thinking creatively about the future. Luis Pineda, Idalia Castro, and Jennifer Valle Camacho earned the honor and $2,000 at the Energy City of the Future 2050 finals at the University of Houston last weekend for their concept of using biomass as Houston’s main alternative energy source.

As part of a 10-week extracurricular project, competitors were challenged with envisioning new ways of developing drinking-water sources, transportation, and energy sources through the use of models, PowerPoint presentations, and public-service announcements. The exercise was designed to develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

The Madison trio of Pineda, Castro, and Valle Camacho — who rank 1, 2, and 3 in their graduating class, respectively — were the only team who dressed up and produced a brochure and animated public service announcement for their presentation. The PSA also earned the team a medal for Best Technology Use, and a judge commented on the prudent use of recyclable materials in the students’ city model.

“My students were creative and really knew how to persuade and sell their product to the judges,” said their adviser, Amanda Torres, an HISD Career Technology Education health science tech.

HISD also fielded teams from Milby High School and Mickey Leland Preparatory Academy.

The competition is organized by the Harris County Department of Education’s Center for Afterschool, Summer, and Expanded Learning for Kids program and funded by the Education Foundation of Harris County.

“Energy City provides students the opportunity to explore energy professions while also studying energy and urban planning solutions,” said CASE for Kids Director Lisa Thompson-Caruthers. “Students collaborate through teamwork, a critical skill set for working within the energy sector.”

Madison HS seniors Jennifer Valle Camacho, Luis Pineda, and Idalia Castro won the Energy City of the Future 2050 finals and a check for $2,000 for their multi-part presentation on using biomass as an alternative energy source.

Madison HS seniors Jennifer Valle Camacho, Luis Pineda, and Idalia Castro won the Energy City of the Future 2050 finals and a check for $2,000 for their multi-part presentation on using biomass as an alternative energy source.

 

Digital Learning Spotlight: McNamara ES

Teachers “blending” face-to-face instruction with technology

During the month of February, all HISD teachers are being encouraged to try something new in their classrooms, as well as share ideas, resources, and lessons learned by posting their experiences and photos on social media using the hashtag #HISDdigital. Each week during the month, we are profiling a teacher or campus that is using technology to break up rows in classrooms, engage students, and innovate instructional practice. This week’s profile features McNamara Elementary.

Earlier this year, McNamara Elementary School  teacher Carlos Rosario started videotaping some of his lessons instead of delivering them in front of the class. The result has been somewhat surprising.

“I find that many of my students are more engaged watching me deliver a lesson on video than when I do it in person,” said Rosario. “Plus, I have built in questions with the videos to check for understanding. At the end, I also get a report, so if I need to pull anybody out to reteach or focus on small group instruction, I can do that.”

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EdWeek: HISD is a “Leader To Learn From” in PowerUp technology initiative

HISD’s PowerUp technology initiative is receiving national attention this week in Education Week’s 2015 Leaders To Learn From report, for “setting the bar for how to manage the digital transformation of a large urban school system.”

Superintendent Terry Grier and Chief Information Officer Lenny Schad are cited for their leadership on PowerUp, which combines a one-to-one laptop program for high school students with an all-encompassing digital “HUB” accessible to students, teachers, and parents for information, teaching, and collaboration.

The article also focuses on Chavez HS, whose students have embraced the laptop program that allows them to use the devices both in and outside school.

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Yates communications students show off their green thumbs

IMG_0394Yates High School students in the School of Communications conducted their annual spring gardening event recently in order to bring attention to food deserts such as Houston’s Third Ward. Many areas of Houston have relatively few grocery stores, making the choices for nutritious food in short supply. Continue reading →

Upcoming Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (TABSE) Parent Summit to offer resources and information for parents

The annual Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (TABSE) Parent Summit is being held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Houston Hilton Westchase, 999 Westheimer 77042. The event is free for parents, and will offer information and resources on topics such as federal student aid, communicating with tweens and teens, bullying and cyber-bullying, special education processes, and more. Continue reading →

Attend Black College Expo Saturday to learn about college options

Juniors, seniors encouraged to bring transcripts, SAT/ACT scores to share with university representatives

HISD middle- and high-school students and parents will be able to meet with universities and scholarship providers and learn about finding money for college when they attend the Black College Expo on Sat., Feb. 28.

The expo will be held at the J. W. Marriott Hotel, 5150 Westheimer Road, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The district has partnered with the National College Resources Foundation to offer free admission to the event with a school identification card.

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Middle school girls get hands-on introduction to STEM careers

EYH 2015

Students from Burbank MS had a blast at the Expanding Your Horizons conference.

Hundreds of HISD middle school girls spent Sat., Feb. 21, learning about math and science careers at the Expanding Your Horizons conference.

Female professionals talked to students from Black, Burbank, Grady, Henry and Revere middle schools, and the Baylor College of Medicine Academy about a variety of STEM careers. The students worked with a 3-D printer, learned about storing DNA, created cement, and developed butterfly gardens.

The West Harris County Branch of the American Association of University Women hosted the conference.