CAST STEM Principal's Weekly Update
September 25, 2021
CAST STEM families,
We are excited that our first PBL launch is underway with PBL teams and senior Capstone projects. At CAST STEM, Project-Based Learning (PBL) is an instructional approach designed to give students opportunities to develop real-world knowledge and skills through student-led engaging projects focused on solving real-world problems. Students, facilitators, industry leaders, community partners and families have an opportunity to engage in the learning by providing feedback to students throughout their PBL process. Our community is invited to join the learning during curriculum night and at presentations of learning. Please see the CAST STEM Calendar for more information.
For more information on why our team believes in the power and impact of PBL, please review our research foundations in PBL here.
Have a great weekend!
In gratitude,
Ravae V. Shaeffer
Proud Principal, CAST STEM HS
#WeAreCASTSTEM #WeAreSouthwest
#BeTheLight
Senior PBL Launch Event: Nature
How can our generation (17 - 25 years old) strike a compromise between our innate nature to consume while having the benefits of a healthier relationship with nature?
Student of the Month, September
Student Passion Spotlight: Badminton Champions
Ariana Walters & Gabriela Pena, 2nd pd
Esther Alele & Sebastian Garcia-Sanchez, 3rd pd
Josh Bernal & Nick Carreon, 4th pd
Victor Hernandez & Eduardo Garza, 6th pd
Joshua Martinez & Alejandro Morales, 7th pd
Badminton Tournament of Champions
Stay Connected
Text to #81010, in the message type @caststemh
Weekly Newsletter from Mrs. Shaeffer
Follow Us on Twitter @swisd_caststem
Instagram cast_stem or Facebook CAST STEM!
CAST STEM Calendar Highlights
Click the calendar image to review on our website.
CAST STEM PTSA
PTSA (Parent-Teacher-Student Association)
Join PTSA today! PTSA strives to make every child's potential a reality. Join by October 15th to get connected. JoinPTA.org is a mobile-friendly website where anyone can easily join our PTA using a credit or debit card. Our dues are $10 and the website charges a $1.50 processing fee.
Please contact caststemptsa@gmail.com with your contact information if you want to join our PTSA but are unable to utilize this website and would like us to work with you on a different way of joining.
College-Ready!
Free College Advising with Cafe College
Opportunities for Scholars
Walmart Wellness Day
Focused on providing accessible and affordable immunizations and vaccines for customers, Walmart is hosting our quarterly Walmart Wellness Day this Saturday, September 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time – a free event where customers can get flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines, and other immunizations like mumps, measles, and TB - in more than 4,700 pharmacies nationwide.
Customers can find a free event near them at Walmart.com/wellnesshub.
STEM Storytellers
Join us in co-creating the future of STEM!
The unCommission is a massive, diverse, and participatory experience that will determine the next set of transformative goals for preK-12 STEM education. We are bringing together hundreds of young people across the country, with a focus on those most excluded from STEM opportunity, to share their personal experiences and stories about science, engineering, technology and math. From these stories, we will distill insights and develop a constellation of goals for the future of STEM education.
We hope to hear from as many young people as possible by October 15, 2021. To show our gratitude, we will send all storytellers a link to select any of these gifts after they submit a story.
Who is a Storyteller?
A storyteller is any young person aged 13-29 who wants to share their real experiences in STEM learning in the United States to help reveal the most important themes and patterns related to STEM education. We are especially hoping to hear from those furthest from inclusion in the STEM fields, particularly Black, Latinx, and Native American communities.
What is a Story?
Stories are accounts of your experiences with STEM learning -- there are no right or wrong answers! Stories can feel joyful, apathetic, or sad. They can be a typed letter (max 500 words), a handwritten letter (max one page), or an audio or video journal (max 4 minutes).
What will the unCommission do with these stories?
Once stories are submitted, they will be read and listened to by trained researchers, who will pull out themes and patterns from the hundreds of stories that are collected. These insights will be turned into new national education goals for the country that the unCommission will share broadly--including with the Biden Administration!
How to Add Your Voice
There are two ways for young people to share their STEM story (Note: 13-17 year olds MUST get parental consent before submitting a story. To get consent simply log onto the platform -- it will prompt you and/or your guardian/parent through the process.):
1) Storytellers can submit a story anytime by creating a profile on the unCommission storytelling platform and responding to the following prompt: “Describe an experience you had in science, math, engineering, and/or technology, inside or outside the classroom, from pre-K-12th grade. How did you feel in that experience, and what made you feel that way?” (Estimated time commitment: 15 minutes)
2) Storytellers can attend one of the below Story Hours hosted by 100Kin10. These Story Hours are an opportunity for storytellers to learn more about the unCommission and get support creating their story. Register in advance below! (Estimated time commitment: 1 hour)
For storytellers ages 18-29:
For storytellers ages 13-17:
Questions? Reach out to uncommission@100Kin10.org.
Transcript Request Form
Weekly COVID Testing
Rhodes Driving School Discount
Dress for Success at CAST STEM!
Weekly Spirit Days:
Wednesday - CAST STEM Spirit - wear your CAST STEM spirit shirt!
Thursday - Professional Dress Day - dress for your future career.
Friday - College or Career Spirit - wear your favorite college or career shirt.
Do you need a Verification of Enrollment (VOE) Form for your driver's permit?
Mrs. Ravae Villafranca Shaeffer
Work Hard, Dream Big
#BeTheLight
Email: rshaeffer8849@swisd.net
Website: http://southwestisdcaststem.ss12.sharpschool.com/home
Location: 11914 Dragon Lane, Bldg #800, SATX 78252
Phone: (210) 622-4810
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swisdCASTSTEM/
Twitter: @swisd_caststem