STEM News, February 2020
What's going on at STEM Academy?
DIRECTOR'S DIALOGUE
STEM Families,
There are so many great things going on at STEM Academy! From the display of student art works to the recognitions of the innovations of our students, we have so many reasons to be proud of our STEM family. Thank you for allowing us the privilege of serving your family!
January was a busy month. We have just wrapped up our shadowing and lottery season, and we are looking ahead. February is packed with field trips, student recognitions, and the recognition of our new lottery members through special ceremonies at both the middle school and high school. We appreciate all of the support that you offer to us as we continue to work to keep our Academy 'Ahead of the Curve'.
Wishing you all the best this winter season!
Jennifer Jensen, M.Ed.
Director
UPCOMING EVENTS - Districtwide

2/5 - 2/6: Middle School Early Dismissal for Conferencing
2/14: All Campuses - Early Dismissal
2/17: President's Day - Student Holiday, Staff Development
STEM Academy - Middle School News
STEM Academy Hosts First Annual Code Jam
On Thursday, January 9th, STEM Academy transformed the 2nd floor of the STEM wing, including the Community Learning Center in to a coding extravaganza. Students had the opportunity to fly drones, and learn to program Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Scratch, Scratch Jr., Star Logo Nova, Micro:bits, CyberSecurity, Finch Robots, Paralax, EV3s, and EDU MindCraft. Graphic Arts demonstrations were held in the art room and in the science lab there were three Oculus VR Stations (Rift and Quest) and two GOOGLE VR (Cardboard) Stations. In the hallways we had Sphero Sparks, Mini-Spheros, and Ozobots activities.
The event was open-to-the community, with our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade STEM Families, as well as families from across the district who are interested in STEM for their kids, participating. We had thirty 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, and one high school student who assisted with facilitating the activities and 10 STEM teachers supervising the stations. According to Mrs. Sandy Geisbush, "this event was a lot of fun and we hope this will become an annual event".
Nimitz/STEM Academy UIL Team Ranks at the Top
STEM Scholars Experience Physics First-Hand
On Tuesday, January 28th, our very own STEM Scholars ventured to iFly to for an experience all their own! When asked about the impact that this experience had on the faculty and students who attended, 6th Grade English Teacher Cheryl Hernandez stated, "this is one of the many reasons I am so thankful to be a part of the STEM family!! Our administration supports innovative education practices: both informal and formal education experiences! The students were led by an instructor about the engineering and design process of the wind tunnel, the science that goes behind it all, and talked about career paths with the students! The IFly STEM Experience was incredible!!" We are glad that you all had fun, and we look forward to being able to offer more of these types of opportunities to our students in the future!
Our Students LOVE to Give Back!
When invited to attend the STEAM festival at Thousand Oaks Elementary on January 14th, our STEM Ambassadors got all charged up! They sought out a way to be able to share some STEM concepts with the visiting elementary school families. With the help of M&M science, the students performed STEM-onstrations of molecules colliding resulting in chemical reactions. And it doesn't hurt that they had some M&Ms to share! Thank you for being great ambassadors for our program. You make STEM proud!!
FTC League Meet #4
Saturday, Feb. 8th, 8am-4pm
TBD San Antonio
STEM Signing Day - 8th Graders Moving Up to STEM @ LEE
Friday, Feb. 14th, 9-11am
1400 Jackson Keller Road
San Antonio, TX
STEM Scholars Cyber Security Field Trip
Wednesday, Feb. 19th, 9am-2pm
1 UTSA Circle
San Antonio, TX
6th & 7th Grade Reading Benchmark
Thursday, Feb. 20th, 8:30am to Friday, Feb. 21st, 3:15pm
5426 Blanco Road
San Antonio, TX
6th & 7th Grade Math Benchmark, Algebra Benchmark
Wednesday, Feb. 26th, 8:30am to Thursday, Feb. 27th, 3:15pm
5426 Blanco Road
San Antonio, TX
STEM Academy - High School News
MUNSA Conference - January 9 & 10Model United Nations San Antonio (MUNSA) seeks to create a dynamic and hands-on learning opportunity for students. As a simulation of the United Nations, MUNSA strives to offer a forum in which academic, leadership, and interpersonal skills are combined to foster student discussion of our world's most pertinent issues. | Official MUNSA Logo For more information about Model UN click HERE. | STEM Students Walk Away With Honors During this event, several of our STEM students were recognized for their outstanding effort. Katherine Book, Diego Robbins, & Lindsey Weingart won "Best Delegate" awards. Alexandra Ballard won Distinguished Delegate". Congratulations to you all. You make STEM proud!! |
MUNSA Conference - January 9 & 10
Model United Nations San Antonio (MUNSA) seeks to create a dynamic and hands-on learning opportunity for students. As a simulation of the United Nations, MUNSA strives to offer a forum in which academic, leadership, and interpersonal skills are combined to foster student discussion of our world's most pertinent issues.
STEM Students Walk Away With Honors
Bringing Learning to Life
Class: Engineering Design & Problem Solving
Watch Your Attendance! Turn in your absence notes! Your absence matters. Click HERE for more information. | Register to Vote! Twice per school year, students turning 18 they can sign up at school to vote. Click HERE to learn more. | Don't Pull This! If you do, you have just committed an offense. For more information click HERE. |
Class: AP Government
Congratulations to Emmett Decker - PitchYea Overall Winner!
Congratulations to Nathan Copeland - WE THE PEOPLE Winner!
2nd Semester AP Exam Payments
Monday, Feb. 3rd, 9am to Thursday, Feb. 20th, 4pm
This is an online event.
Pape Dawson Camp Information Session, all 3 lunches
Monday, Feb. 3rd, 11:30am-2:30pm
1400 Jackson Keller Road
San Antonio, TX
9th Grade College Visit (last name A-Me)
Tuesday, Feb. 4th, 9am-2pm
1 UTSA Circle
San Antonio, TX
9th Grade College Visit (last name Mo-Z)
Friday, Feb. 7th, 9am-2pm
1 UTSA Circle
San Antonio, TX
FRC Robotics Competition
Friday, Feb. 28th, 8am to Sunday, March 1st, 6pm
940 West Highway 290
Dripping Springs, TX
STEM REFERENCE TOOLS
This link provides information and links for ease of access when looking to email teachers, check grades, view attendance records, sign up to receive alerts, monitor cafeteria spending and more!
Looking for ways to help? Please sign up to be a STEM Academy volunteer!
Click on this link for access to our traditional school calendar.
Click on this link to see regular start and dismissal times, per campus.
Click on this link for the district STAAR testing calendar.
There are no classroom telephones, so it is best to contact teachers by email. Please click on the link above to access teacher contact information.
There are no classroom telephones, so it is best to contact teachers by email. Please click on the link above to access teacher contact information.
STEM Academy - Middle School
STEM Academy - High School

