STEM Newsletter
1st Quarter 2016-2017
Welcome to 2016-2017 STEM!
We are proud to be sending you our first STEM Newsletter of the year! We hope to make this a frequent publication. This school year is off to a great start. Although we said goodbye to some familiar faces, we've met a whole new crop of STEM freshmen, several new STEM teachers, new STEM programs and equipment, and our own Austin Gunter has taken a new position as Assistant Principal and head of STEM.
In this newsletter, you will find:
- Class News
- Information about Google Classroom
- Upcoming STEM Events
- New Teacher Biographies
- Robotics Trip to Nationals (video)
What would you like to see in a STEM newsletter? Drop us a line with comments and suggestions about how we can make our newsletter better for YOU!
Hey Parents, want to know more about Google Classroom?
Send us your GMail address!
Seniors -- Class of 2017
Senior English is all about the writing!
Mrs. Barbknecht says, "My 4th and 5th period classes are working on Beowulf Fan Fiction. AP English is working on learning how to construct AP style multiple choice questions and how to not cry during difficult timed writings."
Getting ready to apply to college!
Future engineers hard at work!
Mr. Landman shares that his "Engineering Math students have been building bridges from spaghetti, hot glue, and masking tape. They will begin load testing them on Thursday."
Juniors -- Class of 2018
Metals on Fire!
According to Ms. Bilbray, "Our STEM chemists explored a variety of real world chemicals and then wrote a personalized Safety Data Sheet based on their own characteristics and preferences. We became ancient civilizations as we explored the development of atomic theory. We also explored matter and the changes it undergoes at the subatomic level by electrifying gases and lighting metals on fire!"
Real world issues!
Flexible seating for the win!
Junior engineers...
Students are learning how to program using microcomputers called the Arduino Uno.
Learning new skills...
Putting them to work...
Sophomores -- Class of 2019
AVID Strategies at Work!
Study of Living Things!
Real world math!
Pre-AP Geometry and Regular Geometry students learned how to use the Distance Formula to find the distance between two points and the Midpoint Formula to find the midpoint, or half-way point, of two points. Students learned that Washington, D.C. forms a grid system much like the Cartesian-coordinate. Pierre-Charles L’Enfante designed Washington, D.C. with visual lines of communication to the city’s most important and influential landmarks – the Capitol Building, the Washington Monument, and the White House.
Freshmen -- Class of 2020
Getting their PHYSICS on!
Mr. C says, "We are just starting a unit on 1-dimensional motion, and this is an introductory lab. Students will be learning about speed, velocity, and acceleration."
Science makes the world go round!
Don't forget to visit the Rocket Extension in the Science Hall during STEM Family Night!
Freshmen Heroes
Students in English I are reading about Odysseus’ journey and remixing and remapping it! By writing remixes students learn about the figurative language used and the lessons that mythology teaches us. By creating maps Pre-AP students are reinforcing AP Human Geography skills and learning that myths are based on real events.
STEM Events
STEM Family Night
To RSVP, go to tinyurl.com/bhsstemevents.
Wednesday, Oct 12, 2016, 05:30 PM
Berkner High School, East Spring Valley Road, Richardson, TX, United States
STEM Bowling Fundraiser
Bring your friends! Bring your parents, siblings, cousins! This fundraiser will help us raise money for some really great things later in the year!
Saturday, Oct 15, 2016, 12:00 PM
Plano Super Bowl, K Avenue, Plano, TX, United States
Our new STEM teachers!!!
Maria Azhar
Ms. Azhar teaches Pre-AP Biology in STEM and ESL IPC in Big Berkner. Her Bachelor of Science in Biology is from the University of Texas at Dallas. She tells us, "I'm from Jersey City, NJ -- spent my childhood there and moved to east Texas in time for high school (I went to Lindale High School), I moved to Dallas for school, fell in love with the area and have been here since." As a recent graduate of UT Dallas, she "did their UTeach program" and her "hobbies include writing, reading, and watching basketball." She is "super excited to have the opportunity to teach in this wonderful district!"
Email: maria.azhar@risd.org
Website: sites.google.com/g.risd.org/stembio
Paul Landman
Mr. Landman says, "I teach Algebra 2 and Engineering Math. I have BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from UC Berkeley. I’m a second career teacher and previously designed chips for TVs, computers, cellular base stations, and internet routers at Texas Instruments for over 20 years. I love outdoor activities like hiking, biking, camping, and geocaching."
Email: paul.landman@risd.org
Scott Payne
Mr. Payne (No relation to Ms. Foster Payne) teaches Principles of Aviation. He has a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering from Auburn University. Previously, Mr. Payne taught at Bryan Collegiate High School (Bryan ISD), Seguin High School (Arlington ISD), and MacArthur High School (Irving ISD). He also has previous aerospace experience with Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, GE Aviation, and Genpact Solutions. He tells us, "I have spent most of my aerospace career in modeling & simulation of defense systems involving 6 degree of freedom (6 DOF) flight simulations, missile aerodynamics, performance analysis, and gas turbine engine control software." And, "I am happily married to my lovely wife Shelby, who is an 8th grade U.S. History teacher in Wylie ISD, and we have two amazing children. Roderick is 13 years old and is an 8th grader in Wylie and loves basketball! Our daughter Reese is 5 years old and just started kindergarten this year! She loves Shopkins, My Little Pony and bossing her brother around or at least tries to!!"
Email: scott.payne@risd.org
Omar Pastrana
Mr. Pastrana teaches STEM Robotics/Automation & Concepts of Engineering. He attended Texas A&M University where he earned a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies ( Math & Science). He spent the last 10 years teaching at West Jr High (7 years Math, 3 years Robotics & 6 years coaching JV Soccer at Pearce HS). He is the 2013 EiE MetroPCS Technology Grant Winner & the 2015 STARS Secondary Teacher of the Year for RISD. This year, he is the Berkner Robotics Club Sponsor, and he tells us, "I love to build, explore and play on the floor with my 2 energetic kids."
Email: omar.pastrana@risd.org
Website: OmarPastrana.com
Tyler Tokar
HOWDY! I teach the STEM Freshman Concepts of Engineering and Technology class. I graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelors in Agricultural Science and a Masters in Education. I graduated from Berkner High School in 2010. After graduation from college, I student taught at Reedy High School in Frisco. I am a Rambler sponsor, football and wrestling coach. I’m very excited for this school year and feel truly blessed to be a part of the STEM family!
Email: tyler.tokar@risd.org
Robotics trip to Nationals!
Berkner HS STEM Academy
Email: marsha.foster@risd.org
Location: 1600 E Spring Valley Rd, Richardson, TX 75081
Phone: 4695937000
Twitter: @bhsstem