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Our robotics grant dollars are hard at work in Mrs. Myers' engineering course as seen in the article below that was published in the Raider Weekly at MIS/HPMS. 
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The PC-TAG Techie Factory event was a huge success. Over 60 elementary students and parents enjoyed an entertaining, science-filled afternoon. The event was hosted at University Park Elementary. The event was designed to engage and teach students real world skills in a fun, hands-on environment. Participants learned how to mix, master and create their own musical DJ style through the use of DJ hardware and software, code in Roblox and develop instructions to command Dash, the robot, to move around the cafeteria. The middle schoolers were the first students to participate in a PC-TAG student program this year. Our first event was hosted by Techie Factory. We had over 60 MIS/HPMS students and parents in attendance. The workshops featured Roblox game making, DJ music making, coding and eSports. The students thrived in this very hands-on workshop learning the technical tools necessary to build and create. The PC-TAG gift of $10,000 will help support STEAM initiatives at McCulloch Intermediate and Highland Park Middle School this fall. The two schools will utilize the funds to introduce a comprehensive, vertically-aligned robotics program for students in grades 5-8 to experience classroom and extracurricular opportunities in engineering and coding. The implementation of this STEAM grant also provides standards-aligned instruction and resources for a fifth-grade science unit in electrical circuits. PC-TAG President Aparna Bohil praised the grant proposal partnership. “It is a great collaboration between us and Dr. Moran, Dr. Miller, Jean Streepy and Ericca Vandagriff to launch this exciting program for MIS and HPMS,” she said. The year-to-date gifts reported at the May trustee meeting total more than $5.5 million. That is equivalent to $16.8 million in recapture tax dollars.  Isabel Blaylock has been in HPISD since 2nd grade, entering the TAG program in 3rd grade at UP Elementary. During her time at HP, she’s earned academic awards in Math, Science, Latin, English, History; including AP Scholar with Honors, various teacher awards and National Honor Society. She has also loved being a part of the Track/Cross Country teams! With them, she’s had the opportunity to be on the Varsity team since her freshman year, including 3 years as State qualifier in XC and State qualifier in track her senior year. Additionally, she ran at the Texas Relays in 9th and 10th grades before Covid cancelled the event in 11th grade. Furthering her love of the sport and looking for a way to give back to those disadvantaged and most affected by the pandemic, Isabel created and lead a virtual 5k event with all proceeds benefitting Vogel Alcove. She will be attending University of Richmond in the fall, admitted to their Track and Cross Country teams while majoring in PPEL (Politics, Philosophy, Economics and Law). Please join us in congratulating Isabel Blaylock on her outstanding career at Highland Park! The award recognizes two graduating seniors who use their special gifts and talents to demonstrate the true spirit of a curious, dedicated, ethical, lifelong learner whose passion for knowledge is organic and sincere. Parth joined HPISD in 5th grade at McCulloch Intermediate School and entered the TAG program in 6th grade. During Parth's time at HP, he has earned numerous awards in Math, Science, and History along with being a part of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. He has earned AP Scholar with distinction. During high school he was part of the UIL Math and Science Team. He joined the UIL Number Sense team in 9th grade and has helped the team win state during all years of competition. Parth has also been a member of the Calculator, Mathematics and Science teams. Parth has been the Captain of these two teams during his senior year and helped lead HP win state in the Math and Science competitions. Outside of academics, Parth enjoys sports, story writing, playing guitar and listening to music. Parth will attend Washington University of St Louis in the fall and will major in Psychological and Brain Sciences. Please join us in congratulating Parth Nandekar on his outstanding career at Highland Park!     As the PC-TAG Teacher of the Year, Ms. Smith will receive a cash award to honor her excellence in teaching. Ms. Smith was nominated by parents and students for her ability to inspire a love of learning in her students. Ms. Smith was selected for her unique ability to meet both the academic and emotional needs of her students, from providing a supportive and intellectually stimulating classroom for all students to seeking additional training and enrichment material via teacher grants. The thoughtful comments provided by the students and parents are a true testament of Ms. Smith’s outstanding ability as a gifted teacher. As one parent put it best, “I am delighted to nominate Alex Smith for PC-TAG Teacher of the Year. Alex is new to the TAG program, but she is extraordinary. Boone kids came from 3 different schools, and many knew very few people. The pandemic made parent-teacher communication much more difficult. But somehow Alex made every child feel included and involved. In a new school, and in the midst of a scary pandemic, she made TAG a real home for them. Her communications with parents make it clear that she truly KNOWS and loves each of our children. Her individualized attention to their academic development ensures that they are learning and thriving. She is a gift to Boone, to the TAG Program and to my child!” Ms. Smith is in her 9th year at Highland Park ISD, 1st year as a TAG specialist, and her 16th year as an educator. We are so grateful for the lifelong impact she has on her students. Please join us in congratulating Ms. Smith! Hyer Elementary students had a blast using The Sony KOOV robotics kits that were granted this year. The Sony KOOV Educational Coding and Robotics Kit helps to shape future problem-solvers, one block at a time. Perfect in the classroom, KOOV is a comprehensive solution for STEAM education that teaches children core concepts about design, coding, and robotics. PC-TAG offered this fun workshop for elementary students on Friday, April 2nd. The students were able to build robots from KiwiCo. There were 3 sessions with the opportunity to build a claw, a crawler or a drawbot depending on grade level. What a creative way to spend the student holiday. |
