Category Archives: STEM

Pilgrim Academy sweeps advanced category at TCEA robotics competition

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On Jan. 30, six teams from HISD’s Pilgrim Academy competed in the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) Area 4 Robotics Competition — and three of those teams took home top honors when they swept the Advanced Arena Division for middle- and high-school students.

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New partnership gives Scarborough HS students hands-on training in HVAC

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A new partnership with Lone Star Community College is giving some HISD students a leg up on high-demand careers in the HVAC field.

Students taking the dual-credit course on HVAC (which stands for “heating, ventilating, and air conditioning”) are now in their second semester of the class at Scarborough High School. In it, they receive both classroom instruction and time in the lab, where they get hands-on experience with air conditioning units, electrical wiring boards, and other equipment.

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‘Crack the Code’ STEM event set for January 9

The Innovative Curriculum department will hold its first ever invitational coding event for its TIF 4 STEM grant schools on Saturday, January 9, 2016 from 9 a.m. to noon, called “Crack the Code.” Students, teachers, and chaperones from 18 of the grant’s middle schools and elementary schools will convene at Southmayd Elementary School, the host campus, for the day’s festivities.

Over 200 people are expected to participate in the day’s coding activities. A unique aspect of this event is that participants will learn, test, and refine their coding skills alongside each other, highlighting the ability of students and teachers to be co-constructors of STEM-based knowledge and skills.

The purpose of the invitational, is to serve as a “pilot” coding event for HISD. Any business entities, philanthropic organizations, or non-profits interested in helping to support the vision for a district-wide coding event in the future, should contact Annie Song in HISD’s Strategic Partnerships Office at 713-556-7218.

Current funding provided by the TIF 4 grant supports the TIF 4 STEM team, responsible for leading and preparing the day’s activities, busing to the event location, and recognitions for all participants.

HISD’s alternative certification program now accepting applications 

Effective Teacher Fellowship offers paid training, hands-on support for new teachers 

Interested in starting a challenging and rewarding career as a teacher at HISD? The Effective Teacher Fellowship (ETF) is now accepting applications for 2016 and is looking for highly qualified and passionate new educators to help the district produce Global Graduates.  Continue reading →

HISD students, teachers attend Pumps & Pipes 9 STEM symposium

HISD STEM coordinators, teachers and students will attend the Pumps & Pipes 9 Symposium on Dec. 7 to hear presentations from medical doctors, astrophysicists, research engineers and other Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) professionals, while thousands of students will watch via webcast from their classrooms.

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Students collaborate with the Health Museum on STEM cells lesson plan

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Health professionals from Houston’s Health Museum visited the Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men and gave 20 ninth-graders a lesson on nutrition and physical fitness. The museum’s STEM Cells Sports Medicine Program exposes students to various disciplines within sports medicine.

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Students tracking environmental changes at Yellowstone National Park

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Students at two HISD schools are helping to monitor the health of the planet, and it’s all thanks to one passionate teacher.

For the past 17 years, Ann Linsley has been taking her Bellaire High School IB and AP geography and environmental science students on field trips to Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Six years ago, she added a group of Pin Oak Middle School students, and this year Pin Oak Principal Rita Graves accompanied them as well.

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Revere STEM program gains national attention with BP’s help

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Community partners are invaluable when it comes to helping students see how things are done in the real world. BP America has been partnering with HISD’s Revere Middle School since 2013, when STEM magnet coordinator and robotics teacher Alyssa Cannon-Banks began searching for role models for her students. BP America was one of the first to respond and sent nearly 40 scientists, engineers, and accountants to judge the school’s science fair. Soon after, BP America organized frequent tours of their headquarters, which made lasting impressions on students, most of whom come from underprivileged families.

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Vote now for HISD teacher in STEM competition

Beverly Carson is one of four finalists in “Inspiring Curiosity in STEM,” a contest sponsored by KHOU and Halliburton. If Carson gets the most votes on KHOU’s Facebook page, she will receive $2,000 to spend on supplies for her classroom.

Carson teaches STEM at Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet School, where her students are enthusiastic learners, thanks to her innovative lesson plans. She would like to purchase microscopes with the prize money, but some of her students would rather have a 3D printer.

Parents, HISD staff, and supporters can vote here daily through Sunday, Nov. 1.

To see the KHOU video and story, click here.

Chevron contributing up to $1M to public schools through Donors Choose

HISD teachers have been partnering with Donors Choose to support student learning since that organization first launched in 2000.

Now Chevron Products Company, a division of Chevron U.S.A. Inc., has offered to donate up to a million dollars through Donors Choose to fund eligible classroom projects at public schools in Harris County.

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