Senior 2024 Edition

May 2024

EDD: Presents! 2024

Congratulations Class of 2024!

Projects & Learning in STEM

Student Spotlight & Connections

World STEM News

Events & Announcements

EDD: Presents! 2024

The First in Our New Wing

EDD: Student Perspective

By Maxine Nucum

EDD is one of the biggest STEM events that take place at the end of the year, and mark an achievement for our seniors. An achievement that their STEM journey is about to conclude but also that they have successfully gone through all engineering courses, a full circle moment for our seniors. EDD combines all STEM skills, all the way back to Zoo Project to Culture Cafe to Character Crib, to create a final capstone with a huge challenge at hand. EDD can be incredibly challenging but also incredibly rewarding.

The STEM Class of 2024 consisted of 57 seniors, this formed 20 teams for EDD overall. The Top 3 Teams consisted of BEECase winning first place with, Liam Chester, Xander Simpson, and Trevor Tompkins, 2nd place was BioBeads, with Zoe Odems and Natalie Taylor, and 3rd place was PulseSync, with Ethan Aguirre, Tavian Griggs, and Stephanie Jaramillo. Congratulations to all EDD teams, on another year of amazing products and presentations!

I got the chance to speak to one of the winners after EDD, and feedback that was mentioned was, “make sure you have a true inspiration or passion for your project, if not you’ll be tired and burnt out by the end of it.” - Liam Chester

Check out more at https://www.flickr.com/photos/northwestisd/albums/72177720316167942

Our top three teams reflect on EDD:

By Liam Chester, Xander Simpson & Trevor Wyatt Tompkins

This year in EDD was an incredible roller coaster. Our team had many stumbles at the start but as we learned to use each other's strengths and to work as a team we reached a new level of understanding. We enjoyed terrorizing our teachers, and we had so much fun stapling the tables. We stayed at Xander's house till 3am the night before to practice which was an interesting experience. Overall this project taught us to take unfortunate circumstances and make the best of it, to look past our differences and find common areas.

By Natalie Taylor & Zoe Odems

STEM is for everyone. Our biggest takeaways from the past four years have been the principles of STEM. This year, we have applied everything we know; time management, teamwork, professionalism, and the ability to have an efficient work ethic. When doing EDD, remember to be passionate about your product and idea. If you care about what you’re doing, the year will go by so much quicker, EDD won’t feel like “work”, but more like the development of something you love. Be uniquely yourself, and allow your product and idea to stand out and grab attention. If you have a unique product, people will notice. Do thorough research throughout the entirety of the project. Provide as much useful information about your product, its similar solutions, why your product is different, and why it is needed. Work together as a team. Everyone has different strengths, so find what works best for the team; teamwork is such a huge part of this project, so over-communication is always better than under-communication. Talk through all decisions and choices with your team. You are allowed to create anything you want! It’s your time to be creative and resourceful, voice your opinions and ideas, and be respectful and listen to others. When you get to the finals, stay calm. It’s really not that bad. You’ve practiced all year, and you know the content, it’s literally a normal presentation- you can’t see anyone in the audience! Our biggest takeaways from EDD were to have fun, be passionate about your idea, be unique, work together, practice, and be confident; EDD can be so much fun if you try!

By Ethan Aguirre, Tavian Griggs, Stephanie Jaramillo

The process we took for EDD when making our product is to get each of our ideas that would make our product original or re-innovative of the existing product. How we chose the top three about our product is by giving it the criteria and using that type of process allowed us to narrow down our product down to what we created. But when it comes to the top 3 teams for the finals is that each one of our competitors had good products. Our opinion on who the top three were going to be was somewhat close when the first two teams were called. Still, when it came to the finale team, we were not expecting it, and it was shocking, and we were also not mentally prepared for it, but having said all this, our experience during EDD was enjoyable, and we had fun creating a product of our own.

Our 1st place team on the Honor Wall!

EDD Overview

By Mauricio Hernandez

EDD, your big senior project. A chance to express your creativity and put your skills to the test. A year filled with countless hours of hard work, brainstorming, designing, testing, running into problems, putting together a presentation, and ultimately running into more problems. All leading up to one day of EDD presentations.

EDD Presents is an exciting but nerve-racking day. It starts off with everyone showing off their project posters. This is your chance to walk around, see a small peek of everyone’s projects, and ask any questions you may have. Once all the judges get there and everything’s set up, the first round of presentations starts. There’s a total of 3 rounds and each team only presents once. They have 20 minutes to present and 10 minutes to answer any questions the judges might have to get the best score they can possibly get. After all 3 rounds of presenting are done, everyone goes to lunch. During this time, judges turn in their scores so that the top 3 teams may be selected.

We then head to the auditorium to host our annual student awards and give those top 3 teams a chance to compete for first, second, and third place. All 3 win a prize, but the higher they place, the better the prize.

The atmosphere is electric with anticipation as the top teams are announced and take the stage for their final presentations. Each team delivers their best performance, hoping to impress the judges one last time. Finally, after much deliberation, the judges reveal the winners. Cheers erupt, and the room fills with a sense of accomplishment and celebration. Regardless of the outcome, every student leaves EDD Presents with a sense of pride, having completed a significant milestone in their academic journey. The experience is not just about the competition, but about the journey, the learning, and the camaraderie built along the way. Congratulations to all those who participated in EDD Presents this year.

Congratulations to the Class of 2024!

Thank you Wildstone Construction, LLC &

thank you to our STEM Teachers & Booster Club!

Congratulations Class of 2024!

Ethan Aguirre

Tarrant County College

Ethan is enrolling in Tarrant County before transferring to a university to study aerospace engineering. He is most thrilled about the freedom and control over his schedule that graduation will grant him. Ethan’s favorite project it the Root Beer project in Chemistry – he loved making his own soda! His favorite memory was STEM Fall Fest 2023 because he was able to be at the OLC with his younger brother and it was a great day. Ethan wants to thank all of his teachers for making his experience at NHS and STEM amazing.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, Fusion 360, OSHA 30

Logan Alberico

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Logan is heading north to the University of Nebraska at Omaha to study aviation. He hopes to graduate with his degree and then earn his commission for the United States Air Force to start his journey to become an Air force Bomber Pilot. Logan is most excited about the freedom and ability to fly airplanes. His favorite project is the restaurant project from 10th grade because he and his partner had to have a great deal of determination in order to bounce back from being behind in the project. His favorite memory is having Mr. Odems share personal stories during advisory. Logan wants to thank Mr. Bradshaw for “showing me kindness when I needed it the most” during a hard part of junior year.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, MOS Word Expert, MOS Excel Expert, MOS Expert, Fusion 360

Fox Barnard

U.S. Army

Fox will be joining the United States Army with goals to be a UH-60 Mechanic in the Army. He is excited about the new experiences, people and learning that he will gain in this next step of his journey. His favorite project was the first COVID project – a homemade launcher from household items. Fox was able to create a use a 20’ long 2x4 plank to create a launcher that was able to launch a bean bag over his grandma’s house! His favorite memory is the Viking party that Ms. Williamson hosted for Beowulf. He wants to thank Mr. Odems – even though he never had him for a class, he was always willing to talk and be a positive influence on everyone.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, AutoDesk Revit, Fusion 360, Inventor, AutoCAD

Reagan Brownfield

Tarrant County College

Reagan is planning to work at Gulfstream and attended TCC for her Associates in Airframe and an A&P license. Reagan is very excited to start a new chapter and have new challenges. Some of Reagan’s favorite projects included the Snow globe in IED and the Character crib from English III. Reagan will always have the memory of STEM students' phrase of Due tomorrow Do tomorrow. She wishes to thank Mr. How and Mr. Odems for their support.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, Fusion 360, OSHA 30

Liam Chester

Universal Technical Institute

Liam will be enrolling at University Technical Institute (UTI) to study automotive mechanics. He hopes to become a Porsche tech at a dealership in the future. Liam is most excited about not going to school and the freedom he will gain after graduation. His favorite project is the rocket build during aerospace and his favorite memory is Dylan sleeping. Liam wants to thank Ms. Williamson for being awesome.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, Fusion 360

David Corless

Mission

David is heading off to serve his two-year mission for his church. Once he returns, he will be enrolling in BYU to study psychology or medicine. He is excited for the new experiences and freedom that graduation will bring, along with the new people he will meet. His favorite project is the Beowulf project because they were able to have a feast and dress up as Vikings. David wants to thank Mr. How, Mr. Odems & Mr. Rojas.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, AutoDesk Fusion 360, OSHA 30, Inventor

Nairah Cuevas

Stephen F. Austin University

Nairah is heading to Stephen F. Austin University to study construction management and business. In five years, she hopes that she is interning with a construction firm and has earned her real estate license. Nairah is most excited about living in a new city and experiencing new things. Her favorite project was the Culture Café because her team received the highest score and everyone got to eat different foods. Nairah’s favorite memories are when they all hang out together and field trips because everyone is so happy. She wants to thank Ms. Romeo, Mr. How and Ms. Williamson for being awesome. She also wants to thank Mrs. Garrett & Mrs. DeLong for supporting me through tough times and helping me push forward to find success.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Associate, AutoDesk Revit, Fusion 360

Tucker Daniel

Tarrant County College

Tucker excited to graduate and move onto taking courses in a new field. Tucker will be taking courses at Tarrant County College in A&P to earn his license to work in the aviation field as a mechanic. Tucker's favorite project was the snow globe project in IED, he really enjoyed the freedom to design what he wanted. His favorite memory was getting to bake bread in Environmental Sustainability. Tucker has this to say about Mrs. Garrett "The teacher who has helped me the most these past 4 years has definitely been Mrs. Garrett. I am pretty positive that without her guidance and level head, I would have gone crazy by now".

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, Fusion 360, MOS Expert Word, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Premier

Morgan Dinh

University of Texas at Arlington

Morgan is excited to enroll at the University of Texas at Arlington to study structural engineering. Her dream is to work on high-rise and large-scale commercial buildings as a structural engineer. She hopes to earn both her civil and structural engineering license to allow for more job flexibility. Morgan is most excited about heading one step closer to her personal and professional goals after STEM. Her favorite project was the Character Crib project because it provided an opportunity to bond with her STEM peers and learn more about model building. Her favorite memories are attending elementary school nights as a part of STEM Council to share STEM activities and work with the energetic kiddos. Morgan wants to thank Mr. Nathman & Mr. and Mrs. How for exchanging food and laughter.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, AutoDesk Revit, Fusion 360, AutoCAD

Aidan Dunckelman

Trade School

Aidan is thrilled to be heading to a trade school to continue his goal of becoming a journeyman electrician. He is most excited about travel and freedom that being out of high school will provide. His favorite project was the Culture Café in English, and he will always remember STEM Fest 2023 at the OLC. Aidan wants to send thanks to Coach Monaghan!

Certifications: OSHA 10, OSHA 30, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Associate, Autodesk Revit, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Premier, OSHA 30

Alex Ekstrand

Texas A&M University

Alex is heading to College Station to join the engineering program at Texas A&M University. He cannot wait for new experiences in a new location! He hopes to become an electrical engineer. Alex enjoyed the Culture Café project because it incorporated lots of STEM classes and was a fun way to finish the year. His favorite memory is the reaction of the students when he won the Algebra 2 award sophomore year. Alex wants to thank the GOAT Ms. Williamson for an awesome three years straight of English classes.

Certifications: OSHA 10, OSHA 30, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Associate, MOS Expert Word, MOS Expert Excel, MOS Expert, Fusion 360, Autodesk Revit, Inventor, OSHA 30

Emily Eligio

Texas Tech University

Emily is heading to Texas Tech University to major in Music Education. She hopes to become a band director at a middle school in north Texas and continue to play her clarinet. Emily is excited to manage her own life and create her own routines with the freedom that she will gain after graduation. Her favorite project was the Culture Café because her partner and she were able to study Antoni Gaudi’s architecture which created a new personal interest. Her partner for the project was also the best! Her favorite memory from STEM is reading their self-created pop-up books to elementary students at Hatfield Elementary. Emily wants to thank Ms. Garrett who is “like the STEM mom who clearly cares about all of her students.”

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, AutoDesk Revit, MOS Expert Excel, MOS Expert Word, MOS Expert, Autodesk AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Premier, Adobe Animate

Ryan Ellis

College of Saint Joseph the Worker

Ryan is planning to attend College of St. Joseph the Worker in Ohio this fall. Ryan is ready to find a new career and pathway in life and experience all the world has to offer. Ryan has goals to learn new trade skills and to keep following his passion for music. The banned book project was one of his favorite projects because he was able to read anything he wanted. Ryan’s favorite memory was making root beer in Chemistry with Mr. How. Ms. Williamson has always been the greatest help because she always pushed him to keep going even though he was ready to quit. “She would always tell me to never give up” and has always been amazing.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, Fusion 360, PCEP

Gabriella Falcon-Gonzalez

Texas Tech University

Gabriella is heading west to Texas Tech University to study construction engineering. She is most excited about new opportunities and being back in school with her older sister. She hopes to earn both her bachelor's and master’s degrees in construction engineering with minor in electrical engineering. Her favorite project was the Character Crib because of the creativity it allowed in designing a house for their book character and she enjoyed building the physical model of the room. Gabby’s favorite memories are the field trips with Environmental Sustainability from junior year. She wants to thank Ms. Williamson for always believing in her and giving her a safe place to be herself.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, MOS Expert Word, AutoDesk Revit, Fusion 360

Cameron Ferguson

University of North Texas

Cam is heading to college at University of North Texas to major in English. He is planning to become an English teacher and expand his travel to other states. He is super excited about the freedom that graduation brings and the trip to Europe this summer. He loved the Character Crib project because it was a creative way to explore a character in a book. His favorite memory is working the Turkey Trot senior year at JCT. He wants to give shoutouts to Mrs. Garrett who has been a strong support system for all four years.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, MOS Expert Excel, MOS Expert Word, MOS Expert, Fusion 360, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop

Aiden Flynn

Undecided

AJ is heading to college to being a computer programmer. He is excited to have new experiences and gain new knowledge in programming. His favorite project was the Solitaire project for Computer Science 2 because it provided a way to learn new skills. AJ will always remember senior year fondly. He wants to send thanks to Mrs. Garrett for always providing guidance and Mr. Odems for brightening his day.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Associate, MOS Expert Excel, MOS Expert Word, MOS Expert, Fusion 360, Adobe Illustrator, PCEP

Jacob Friedman

Texas A&M University Engineering Academy

Jacob is heading to the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at TCC first and then will transfer to finish his degree in engineering. He is excited about going to college and the new experiences he will have. His favorite project is the zoo project because it was awesome! His favorite memories are of STEM game nights because it was fun to hang out with friends. Jacob wants to thank Mrs. Garrett for being supportive for four years – and helping him with all of his classes.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, MOS Expert Excel, MOS Expert Word, MOS Access Expert, MOS Expert, Fusion 360, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop

Evan Garcia

Syracuse University

Evan is excited to head to Syracuse University to study architecture. He is most excited about traveling and exploring new places to experience more. His favorite project was the Tiny House project from architecture because it connected most to his passions, and he enjoyed that it was organized like a real-world architecture firm. Evan’s favorite memories is the Lockheed trip because it was interesting to see all of the areas that Lockheed is involved in. Evan wants to thank Mrs. Garrett because she supported all of his ideas – no matter how crazy!

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, MOS Expert Excel, MOS Expert Word, MOS Expert, Autodesk Revit, Fusion 360, AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop, PCEP

Brandon Grafton

University of North Texas

Brandon is heading off to the University of North Texas to study mechanical engineering. He is most excited about owning his own home in the future. His favorite project was the Potato Project – “you know why” – and he will never forget all of the great people he met in STEM. Brandon wants to send thanks to Ms. Williamson who truly understands the life of her students and who was always understanding and accommodating. He also added bonus points to Ms. W for teaching while in cancer recovery!

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, Fusion 360

Tavian Griggs

University of North Texas

Tavian will be pursuing a career in Mechanical or Digital Engineering at the University of North Texas. Tavian is excited to start a new chapter of his life and explore new places and meet new people. His favorite project was EDD because it pushed him, even when he didn't feel like solving the problem. Tavian's favorite part of STEM was meeting so many new people. Tavian wants to thank Mrs. Garrett because he was able to have her as a teacher 3 of 4 years and for always believing in him.

Aganze Hamuli

University of Texas at Dallas

Aganze is looking forward to college life at UT Dallas where he will major in computer science. He is excited to be moving out of area and to have more time to devote to his other interests and hobbies. Aganze really enjoyed the IED Automata box project & the final project in POE – both the modeling aspect & the collaboration with his team. His favorite memory will always be STEM Fest 2024 at the Outdoor Learning Center. He wants to say “thanks” to Mrs. Garrett for being supportive & providing critical feedback at the right times.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, Fusion 360

Bradly Hang

Texas A&M University Engineering Academy

Bradly is starting his college journey at the A&M Engineering Academy at TCC and then will transfer to the main campus in College Station. His focus of studies will be in computer science and software engineering with emphasis on artificial intelligence. Bradly is most excited about the freedoms that he will gain as a college student & the new experiences that he will have. His favorite project was the Culture Café because it allowed him to incorporate aspects of his own culture into the model and design. A favorite memory of Bradly is the late nights working on STEM projects and the feeling of accomplishment the next day after presentations. Bradly would like to thank Mrs. Garrett for four years of support – from IED to EDD – and all of the valuable insight and advice she provided during the years.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, MOS Expert Excel, MOS Expert Word, MOS Expert, Fusion 360, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, PCEP

Dylan Haynes

Texas A&M University

Dylan is heading to Texas A&M University in College Station to study aerospace or mechanical engineering. In five years, he hopes to have graduated from college and commissioned in the United States Navy – with goals to be in flight school to become a Naval Aviator. Dylan’s favorite project was the bread baking project in Environmental Sustainability. He enjoyed that everyone used a different recipe to compete for “Best Bread” – which he claims victory of. His favorite memory is falling asleep in various classrooms, common spaces and more – always when he was finished with his work. Dylan would like to thank Ms. Martin, Ms. Williamson, Mr. Odems, Mr. Rojas and Mrs. Garrett for the continued support throughout the years.

Certifications: OSHA 10, OSHA 30, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, Fusion 360, Autodesk AutoCAD

Jaden Holcomb

Mission

After graduation, Jaden is heading on his two-year mission for his church. Upon his return, he will enroll in college to further his studies. He is most excited about being out on his own in the world and hopefully serving an overseas mission. Jaden’s favorite project was the Culture Café because he was about to create something he was proud of and learned a lot about the culture. His favorite memories will be the field trips with STEM and ability to learn as a collective group. He wants to thank Mr. Odems because he has always been kind and always has a smile on his face and is genuinely excited to see his students every day.

Certifications: OSHA 10, OSHA 30, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, Fusion 360

Micah Holmes

University of North Texas

Micah is heading to University of North Texas to study electrical engineering or information science. He is excited to graduate from college and start his career. He cannot wait to experience college and meet new people. Micah enjoyed the zoo project because it was one of the first large projects for STEM and was fun to build the model. He will always remember the 4-5 field trips that he had senior year in the span of six weeks.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Outlook, MOS Excel, MOS Associate, Word Expert, AutoDesk Fusion 360,

Anaso Igbani

Texas Wesleyan

Anaso is heading to Texas Wesleyan to study computer science and hopes to be living & working in Chicago after college graduation. He is most excited about exploring new places & meeting new people. His favorite project was the Culture Café and he will always remember a STEM game night that was epic during his 10th grade year. Anaso wants to send shoutouts to Mrs. Garrett, Ms. Williamson, Mr. How & Mr. Odems for being awesome!

Certifications: OSHA 10, OSHA 30, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, Fusion 360

Len Isherwood

University of Texas at Dallas

Len is excited to enroll at University of Texas at Dallas to study computer science. In five years, he hopes to be finishing up his graduate studies or working in the field of computer science. Len is excited to learn new skills and to become his own person. His favorite project was the zoo project because he was able to learn CAD and how to create presentation slides. Len’s favorite memory is meeting new friends in a new school. He wants to thank Ms. Garrett who encouraged him for four years and tolerated him the whole time!

Certifications: OSHA 10, OSHA 30, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, MOS Expert Word, MOS Expert Excel, MOS Expert, Fusion 360, PCEP

Stephanie Jaramillo

Texas Tech University

Stephanie has goals after high school to become a Mechanical Engineer and earn her degree from Texas Tech University. She is looking forward to being able to travel and enjoy time with her friends. Stephanie's favorite project in STEM was her rocket project in Aerospace. She loved being a team leader and assigning tasks to her teammates. Stephanie wants to thank Ms. Williamson for always being there and never giving up and always believing in her.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, Fusion 360

Jeremiah Kuspa

Undecided

Jeremiah is excited to head to college to study electrical engineering. He is excited to put his skills to work and to meet new people in this next phase of life. His favorite project was the Viking project from English 4 because he was able to be as creative as possible with no constraints. His favorite memory will be drawing on the white board in Mr. Odems room with the boys. Jeremiah wants to thank Mr. Odems for always being a great role model and making every day enjoyable and Ms. Williamson for being an amazing teacher.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, Word Expert, Excel Expert, Access Expert, MOS Expert, AutoDesk Fusion 360, Adobe Premier, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Animate, Inventor, OSHA 30, PCEP, PCAP, SolidWorks

Keaton Kuykendall

Tarrant County College

Keaton is heading to TCC to study cybersecurity. He is excited not to be in high school any longer and cannot wait until he has his own house! Keaton enjoyed the passion project his junior year because he truly got to focus on a topic he enjoyed. His favorite memory was his internship with the NISD technology department where he gained experience and skills. Keaton wants to send thanks to Mr. Odems -

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, Word Expert, Excel Expert, MOS Expert, Fusion 360, PCEP

Naana Kyei

Rochester IT

Naana is heading to New York to study computer engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology. In five years, she hopes to be finishing up her master’s degree at RIT and preparing for her career. Naana is most excited to experience life outside of Texas and the freedom that college brings. Her favorite projects were the zoo project and character crib project because she learned so much about designing slides for the audience. Her favorite memories revolve around digital electronics during sophomore year and how great the whole year was. She wants to send thanks to “the one and only, Mrs. Garrett” -thanks for being her school mom!

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, Word Expert, Excel Expert, MOS Expert, Fusion 360, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop

Lucas Lang

University of Texas at Dallas

Lucas is excited to head to University of Texas at Dallas to study computer engineering. He is thrilled for new experiences, meeting new people and studying abroad. His favorite project was the Culture Café because he was able to design his own restaurant. His favorite memories are all of he and his friends hanging out and enjoying time together.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, Fusion 360, Autodesk Revit, Inventor

Aedan McClure

NCTC

Aedan is looking forward to life after graduation where he hopes to have more freedom while attending NCTC to study engineering. His favorite memories include when students could come to school without a mask on and lots a great projects. His favorite project was the root beer project in Chemistry and the IED automata box. Aedan wants to thank Mr. How, Ms. Garrett, Ms. Williamson, Ms. Pustejovsky, and Ms. Martin for all of their support in the last four years.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, Autodesk Revit

Mikhail Medvedev

The Citadel SC

Mikhail is enrolling at The Citadel in South Carolina to continue his studies. He hopes to be a trained USMC pilot. He is most excited about independence and starting over in a new location. Mikhail enjoyed the high powered rocket project and designing the airbrake and FPV system. His favorite memory will be the feast for Beowulf during senior English. He wants to thank Ms. Garrett who helped him gain engineering and CAD skills.

Certifications: OSHA 10, OSHA 30, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, MOS Expert Word, AutoDesk Fusion 360, AutoCAD, Inventor, PCEP

Gabriel Nava

West Texas A&M University

Gabe is enrolling at West Texas A&M University to study engineering. He is most excited to catch up on sleep! His favorite project was the EDD project because it was so challenging. His favorite memories are the English projects that provided the opportunity to cook and share food. He wants to thank Ms. Williamson for putting up with his “shenanigans and lack of English skills.”

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, Word Expert, AutoDesk AutoCAD, Fusion 360

Jack Newby

Mississippi State University

Jack is heading off to Mississippi State University to study kinesiology with dreams of working for a professional sports team as a trainer or physical therapist. He is excited about the freedom that adulthood brings and meeting new people. His favorite projects were the Culture Café and the Character Crib because they were creative, and he was able to work with friends. His favorite memories will be struggling through projects and preparing for exams with friends. Jack would like to thank Mrs. Garrett, Ms. Williamson, Ms. Martin & Mr. Odems for always being supportive, having the supplies he needed and being kind.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, Word Expert, AutoDesk Revit, Fusion 360

Zoe Odems

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Zoe is very excited to start her new journey at Embry - Riddle University in Prescott, AZ. Zoe will study Cyber Intelligence and Cybersecurity with goals to attend US Air Force Intelligence Officer training. Zoe's favorite memory was the opportunity to attend our Women in STEM event. Her favorite project using her creativity to design a zoo entrance for IED. Zoe wants to thank Mrs. Garrett, Ms. Martin, and Ms. Williamson for " believing that I can do more and ensuring I had the resources to do so".

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Associate, Word Expert, Excel Expert, MOS Expert, AutoDesk Fusion 360, AutoCAD

Corey Parker

Sam Houston State University

Corey is heading off to Sam Houston State University to study criminal justice. He is excited for the freedom that will come from college experiences. the ability to make his own decisions and learn life lessons. His favorite project is the rocket project – mostly because the winning design was the Crimson Caterpillar. Corey will always remember the college tours that the PBR class was able to take this year. He wants to thank Ms. Williamson for putting up with the group for four years straight and Mr. How for making things humorous.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Associate, AutoDesk Fusion 360

Kage Patterson

Texas A&M Commerce

Kage is heading off to Texas A&M Commerce to study mechanical engineering with career goals in robotics engineering. He is most excited about being independent for the first time! His favorite project was the EDD project because of the unique challenges he faced during the project and the complexity of the product his team made. His favorite memory will be the trips to the OLC. Kage wants to send thanks to Ms. Williamson for being understanding and helpful throughout his high school career.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, AutoDesk Fusion 360

Stacey Petty

Kansas State University

Stacey will be jumping into an internship this summer before heading off to Kansas State University College of Architecture Planning and Design. Stacey wants to Earn a Masters Degree in Architecture from Kansas State and is very excited to meet her roommates and start a new adventure. Stacey really enjoyed the Keystone Library Project in CEA because it allowed creativity and freedom. Her favorite memory were all the potlucks. Stacey wishes to thank Mrs. Garrett and Mr. How for the unlimited support and sarcasm, "Love yall!".

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Assoicate, AutoDesk Fusion 360, REvit, AutoCAD, OSHA 30

Braylon Phariss

Oklahoma State University

Braylon is heading north to Oklahoma State University to major in mechanical engineering. In five years, he hopes to be in the first year of his mechanical engineering career. He is most excited about new adventures and working towards his career goals. His favorite project was the Culture Café because he had to spend so much time and effort ton the project -which made it an enjoyable experience. Braxton will never forget the first EDD presents he watched because it showed him what STEM was all about and motivated him to stay even when it was difficult. He wants to thank Ms. Williamson for being an awesome supporter and for three years of English!

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, AutoDesk ReVit

Matthew Pitts

Alabama University

Matthew is enrolling at Alabama University to study information systems in computers. He is most excited about interning this summer and traveling. His favorite project was the library project because while the project was informative and engaging, it showed that civil engineering wasn’t for him. Matthew will always remember the STEM Fall Fest of 2023 and wants to thank Ms. Williamson for fostering a learning environment while also understanding the stresses of being a student.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, AutoDesk Fusion 360, ReVit

Maddock Ramirez

Texas A&M University

Maddock is heading to Texas A&M University in College Station to study aerospace engineering. After completing his degree, he hopes to be commissioned into the United States Navy. He is most excited about all of the things that come with freedom. His favorite project was the zoo project because his animal, the monkey, was interesting. Maddock’s favorite memories are all about hanging with his “STEM bros.” He wants to thank Mrs. Garrett because “she’s pretty cool, I guess.”

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, Word Expert, Excel Expert, MOS Expert, AutoDesk Fusion 360

Serena Reis

AmeriCorp

Serena plans to join Ameri Corps after high school and eventually be a part of the Peace Corps. She hopes that this experience will serve as an inspiration for her future career pathway. She hopes to one day be able to live and have a career that allows her to travel, grow as a person, and make a difference in the world. Serena had several projects over the years that she enjoyed, including the Cowabunga and Crimson Caterpillar rocket projects and the character crib because she is such a book nerd and loved getting to go “all out” on a project over her favorite book. Her favorite memories include the Viking Banquet, marshmallow blowguns, and making waffles in class. Serena wishes to thank Ms. Bull, freshman year algebra 1, and Mrs. Williamson of course. Also, Mr. How for making chemistry fun and introducing me to Monty Python. All STEM teachers are fantastic and deserve the world.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Associate, Word Expert, AutoDesk Fusion 360, Adobe Photoshop

Braxton Rice

Flight School

After graduation, Braxton will be continuing flight school with the goal of becoming a corporate or airline pilot. He is excited about living near water and traveling extensively. Braxton hopes to become a jump pilot and have the flexibility to travel domestically and internationally. His favorite project was the zoo project & his favorite memory was playing spike ball at the end of the year.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, Word Expert, Excel Expert, MOS Expert, AutoDesk Fusion 360, Inventor, Adobe Photoshop, PCEP

Aidan Rosas

Undecided

Aidan is excited to be heading to college to study aerospace engineering. He is excited about new opportunities and experiences that graduation will bring. Aidan loved the 1234 Rocket project during aerospace engineering because of the challenging rocket build and high level of collaboration. His favorite memory is an afternoon spent preparing for a presentation at Expo and the fun they had laughing and joking around. He wants to thank Mr. Bradshaw for being an inspiration with content and leadership.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Associate,, Word Expert, AutoDesk Fusion 360

Jude Schofield

Tarrant County College

Jude is excited to enroll at Tarrant County to pursue engineering studies. After earning his degree in aerospace engineering from a university, he hopes to start his career in aerospace fields. Jude is excited for the freedom that graduation will bring. His favorite project was the glider project from aerospace engineering class because it was hands-on and super fun. Jude’s favorite memory was the first STEM game night because it was so fun! He wants to thank Mr. Odems for making an impact on his students and non-students alike. Jude states that “he listens and always helps the best of his ability.”

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, Word Expert, AutoDesk Fusion 360, PCEP

Caleb Sela

Houston Christian University

Caleb plans to attend Houston Christian University and major in computer science. He has goals and aspirations to one day live and work in California. He is excited for the opportunity to have more freedom and responsibility. Caleb's favorite project was the character crib because he chose Jesus. He wishes to thank Mr. Odems for giving his advice and being there when Caleb needed help.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, AutoDesk Fusion 360

Neill Shoemaker

Texas A&M University

Neill will be attending Texas A&M University at College Station this fall. Neill has aspirations to become a Mechanical/Aerospace Engineer and work in Texas, Washington or in the Northeast. Neill is looking forward to living away from home and choosing what his day and schedule looks like. His favorite project was the 1to34 high powered rocket which was different from earlier projects and he liked all the friends and memories he made during the project. Neill wanted to thank Mr. How “thank you for dealing with me these past 3 years. I know I must've been a handful, I mean I constantly ask questions, but despite this you still mentored and helped me when I had questions, and I want you to know that I appreciate and recognize the work you have done allowing us to become better students, chemists, engineers, or people.”

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, Word Expert, Excel Expert, MOS Expert, AutoDesk Fusion 360, Adobe Photoshop, Inventor, OSHA 30

Xander Simpson

Mission

Xander will be leaving for his mission with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints after graduation. Xander has goals to travel meet new people on his journey. Upon his return Xander wants to attend college. The character crib was his favorite project because he was "proud of the model and the details I put into the project about Fahrenheit 451". Xander wishes to thank his mom for all she has done for him.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, Word Expert, Excel Expert, MOS Expert, AutoDesk Fusion 360, ReVit, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Inventor, PCEP

Nathan Smith

Texas A&M University

Nathan will be leaving NHS to attend Texas A&M University to major in Chemical Engineering. Nathan is looking forward the opportunity to experience freedom and a new journey. Nathan hopes to work for Exxon or Chevron in North Carolina and be closer to his family after he earns his degree. Nathan’s favorite projects were the zoo project where he learned how much he enjoyed designing slides and color schemes and the character crib where he was able to hone in on his interests. His favorite memory was his sophomore year Digital Electronics class. Nathan would like to thank Mr.How, Ms. Williamson, Mrs. Romeo and especially Mrs. Garrett and Mrs. Delong, because they are more than just his teachers. Nathan said, “You taught me to laugh about my mistakes and keep going, and to always push myself. You not only set an example, but showed me the kind of person I want to be, so thank you for teaching, leading and helping me these 4 years.”

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, Word Expert, Excel Expert, MOS Expert, AutoDesk Fusion 360, Adobe Photoshop

Joshua Stecker

Texas Tech University

Joshua is excited to move west to attend Texas Tech University and study electrical engineering. In five years, he hopes to be successfully working in the electrical engineering field. He is most excited about freedom and meeting new people. His favorite project was learning to solder in Digital Electronics because he was able to solder and repair boards on his own time. Joshua will never forget the start of freshman year when he was meeting all of his new classmates and making friends. He would like to thank both Ms. Williamson and Mrs. Garrett for all of their support in helping him grow.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, Word Expert,Excel Expert, MOS Expert, AutoDesk Fusion 360, Adobe Premier Pro

Pepper Stevens

Texas Tech University

Pepper is heading to Texas Tech University in Lubbock to study Engineering and Computer Science. One day Pepper wants to travel around the world with his career. Pepper’s favorite projects were designing and building the Zoo Project his freshman year and the Culture Cafe his sophomore year. Pepper will always remember all the friends he made in STEM and at NHS. Pepper wishes to thank the GOATs!! Mrs. Garrett and Ms. Williamson for all their support during his time in STEM.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Associate, AutoDesk Fusion 360, PCEP

Natalie Taylor

Wichita State University

Natalie is heading to Kansas to attend Wichita State University and major in Psychology. In five years, she hopes to be working on her master’s degree and preparing for career opportunities. She is most excited for the college experience and all the new that will occur. Her favorite projects include the Hello Kitty Rocket, Character Crib and EDD. She will always remember the friends she gained through STEM. Natalie wants to thank Ms. Williamson for being her English teacher for three years and for supporting me through more than just school.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Associate, AutoDesk Fusion 360

Michael Thompson

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Michael is heading to the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology to study Computer Science. He is most excited to continue to play football at the college level. In five years, he hopes to be graduating with his master’s degree and ready to compare the multiple job offers he has. His favorite project was the zoo project because it was a lot of fun but it didn’t look the best. His favorite memory will always be having Mr. Odems his junior year. Michael wants to send shoutouts to ALL of the STEM staff for never giving up on him and to the football coaching staff/trainers for supporting him for four years.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, AutoDesk Fusion 360

Trevor Wyatt Tompkins

Tarleton State University

Trevor will be part of the Texan Corp of Cadets this fall when he attends Tarleton State University. He plans to study construction science and manufacturing with goals to one day work toward starting his own business and have incredible adventures. Trevor's favorite part of STEM was that it feels like one big family! EDD was by far his favorite but in years past he would have to choose the Snow Globe Project. Trevor spent countless hours, each day adding significant details to a house for it to disappear. IYKYK. Trevor wants to thank Mr. How "for always keeping the humor up & tolerating me!".

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Associate, Word Expert, AutoDesk Fusion 360

Joshua Uzobuife

Texas Tech University

Josh is heading to Texas Tech University to study electrical engineering. In five years, he hopes to be hanging out with a dog and enjoying life. He is most excited about meeting new people and being out on his own. His favorite project was the Culture Café because his partner and he had fun and learned a lot about other cultures. He will always remember the big STEM game night during 10th grade where over 100 students came to hang out and play games. Josh wants to thank Mr. Odems for serving as the positive black male figure in his life at a time when he really needed a role model.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Outlook, MOS Associate, Word Expert, Excel Expert, MOS Expert, AutoDesk Fusion 360, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop

Cooper Wagner

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Cooper is heading off to the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs to major in aerospace engineering. He hopes to be working in the aerospace engineering industry with either rockets or other spacecraft. Cooper is most excited to live in Colorado and explore the mountains. His favorite project was the 1 to 34 rocket build for Aerospace Engineering because it helped him realize his goals in aerospace. Most of his favorite memories are those around the design and building of his teams 1 to 34 rocket. He wants to thank Ms. Williamson for helping him create better presentations – with both the flow of slides and the visual appeal.

Certifications: OSHA 10, MOS PowerPoint, MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS Associate, Word Expert, AutoDesk Fusion 360, AutoCAD, Level 1 Rocket, OSHA 30

Caps Off to Our Graduates

The Class of 2024 walked across the stage on Tuesday, May 28 at UNT. The pomp and circumstance of the day was special. We were so excited to be in the audience to celebrate our graduates.

Congratulations to all of our graduates! We wish you all of the luck and successes that you deserve. Once a STEMer, Always a STEMer.

Check out the NISD photos here: http://bit.ly/4dXmT1i

*While every effort was made to get images of each graduate, due to the location of the "photographer" some may have been missed. Our apologies for this!

Projects & Learning in STEM

Our STEM Academy stats for 2023-2024:

OSHA 10 = 98
OSHA 30 = 19
Adobe Photoshop Professional = 19
Adobe Illustrator = 12
Adobe Premier =7
Adobe Animate = 2
Adobe After Effect = 1
Autodesk Fusion 360 = 68
Autodesk Revit = 24
Autodesk CAD = 22
Autdodesk Inventor = 9
Microsoft Word = 19
Microsoft Excel = 76
Microsoft Excel Expert = 31
Microsoft Word Expert = 45
Microsoft Access = 5
Microsoft PowerPoint = 98
Microsoft Outlook = 25
NAR Rocketry = 1
PCEP (Python Certified Entry Level Programmer) = 2
PCAP (Certified Associate in Python Programming) = 8
Solidworks CSWA = 1

Gaining Certifications!

By Alex Koif

Certifications come from a variety of different backgrounds, whether it's a picture editor such as Photoshop, or a CAD such as Fusion360, All certifications serve a purpose. In stem, certification are mainly used to get some summative grades in or to add restriction to certain tools/workspaces; However in the real world certifications are extremely useful and can be the

deciding factor for whether you get hired or not.

As well as allowing us to get ahead of our competition in the workplace, they may even help us get ahead of our fellow applicants in the context of college admissions. Furthermore, By taking certifications in high school, we save hundreds of dollars that we would otherwise have to pay ourselves.

Personally, I am fond of certifications, specifically Microsoft certifications because they are all essentially copy and paste. Another set of easy certifications are all of the Adobe products; Photoshop, Illustrator. So if you don't know which certifications to start with, I recommend those. Conversely I have found the the CAD software are the most challenging just because they are all unique and the UI is always different; Unless you are proficient at CADS I recommend you do those last.

P.S. The longer you wait to do certs, the less you will want to; finish them at the start of the semester!

Certification Overview:

STEM students have the opportunity to earn professional certifications in multiple career fields - 618 certifications to be exact. Certifications can offer students valuable technology driven skills and preparation for college or the workforce. Throughout the year students learn applications related to their course, take practice tests and can take a certification exam in areas such as Microsoft, Adobe, Autodesk, Computer Science, and OSHA.

Certification pathways offer our STEM students pathways into multiple career fields, real world experiences, and valuable skills that they can apply to their future job, college or career journey.

Check out our Seniors!

These graduates are leaving high school with 537 industry certifications that will help them be successful in the future!

Making & Baking Bread

By Emily Eligio

Do you smell that? No, I’m not talking about the stench of tiny sharks being dissected by Freshman biology students, but instead the buttery aroma of freshly baked bread by the Seniors and Juniors enrolled in Environmental Sustainability! Environmental Sustainability is a class where students learn about the environment, yes, but also about how engineers can play a role in preserving or innovating upon our current resources to create a more sustainable future for all. Since that is such a monumental goal, students are required to understand a lot of prerequisite information before they can put together a possible solution. Baking bread, in this case, served to demonstrate the process of fermentation in a fun and engaging way!

Students were able to bake any variety of bread that they wanted if they brought their own materials, but otherwise were able to draw upon a class set of flour, salt, yeast, butter, and water to make a basic bread. Although many chose to opt for the simpler recipe, several students branched out and made artisan, banana, and even gluten-free bread! Above you can see the bakers of the banana bread, Xander Simspon (left) and David Corless (right) looking in shock at their wonderful creation. On the left is my bread, which rose a lot more than initially anticipated and actually produced two whole loaves with one recipe!

Since so many people had leftovers, many students shared and traded their unique breads with each other! By the end of the day, the bread project provided our Junior and Senior Environmental Sustainability students with a fun experience, a motivation to learn, and a full belly. After all, who doesn’t like free food with a complimentary air freshener?

It's A Zoo Out There!

By: Aidan Addison

Recently, the STEM academy had the opportunity to take a field trip to the Fort Worth Zoo. The STEM academy went on this field trip to provide the students with an educational and fun experience. When we went to the Zoo I made some observations. One thing I noticed was how family-friendly it was. Another was how they had a lot of vegetation making it seem like you were in the environment where the animals are. Lastly, every design correlated with what animals they were showing in each location. The educational things they had were panels with information about each animal, they had zookeepers who were giving more information about the animals, and they had fun hands-on activities you could do to learn more. We are using the knowledge we gained from the Zoo to help with the Zoo project.

The Zoo project is about designing an environmentally friendly Zoo habitat that enhances the Zoo and benefits animals, zookeepers, and visitors. Me and my team have been working on this project for a couple of weeks now and in each of my classes, it has something for the Zoo project. In science, we are working on our PowerPoint presentation. In English, we wrote a letter to a famous person in Fort Worth to help fund our project. In Engineering, we are working on building the exhibit in Fusion360, and in Math, we are making a tessellation of our animal. The Zoo project has been teaching us things throughout it and we are looking forward to presenting it soon.

Improved Zoo Habitats

By: Kris Garrett

The STEM Freshman have been working on innovations for zoo animals across the world. Following a trip to the Fort Worth zoo, they kicked off the “Zoo Project”, an end of the year project aimed at producing better habitats for an array of different animals. From the Greater One Horned Rhino, to the gentle Sun Bear, the diversity of the projects being produced gives this assignment a strong creativity factor.

With professional level PowerPoint presentations, teams are tasked to design a Zoo habitat for their animal of choice, complete with enrichment, safety features, and educational material for all ages. Along with this, projects in all core classes contribute to the project material, including a tessellation of your animal in Geometry, sketches and a 3d model of your exhibit in Introduction to Engineering Design, letters to potential donors in English I, and so much more.

Student Spotlight & Connections

Rocket Club

By: Tyree Franklin

The yearly Aerospace Rocketry Challenge (ARC) is where the Northwest High School Rocketry Team, which is committed to providing top-notch STEM education, displays their abilities. One of their teams had great success by launching many qualifying launches and putting in a lot of preparation work, earning them a coveted spot in the national tournament. Driven by ingenuity and collaboration, their journey to the national level highlights their dedication to surpassing limits and attaining exceptional outcomes in the field of rocketry.

By Aidan Rosas

Joining the Rocket Club was a transformative experience that significantly enhanced my leadership and teaching skills. I was chosen this year by the senior members of the club. From the moment I became president, I was immersed in a dynamic environment that required me to step up, take initiative, and guide my peers through complex projects. This hands-on experience in the Rocket Club taught me invaluable lessons about leadership and the art of teaching, which have shaped my approach to both personal and professional endeavors. As a leader in the Rocket Club, I quickly learned that effective leadership is about more than just giving orders; it’s about inspiring and motivating a team towards a common goal. I was responsible for coordinating project timelines, delegating tasks, and ensuring that everyone was on the same page. This required me to develop strong organizational skills and an ability to communicate clearly and empathetically. I discovered the importance of listening to team members' ideas and concerns and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone felt valued and heard. This collaborative atmosphere not only improved our projects but also strengthened our team’s cohesion and morale. While this year of Rocket Club has had some low points, getting to nationals was a huge step forward in the future. In conclusion, my involvement in the Rocket Club was instrumental in shaping me into a better leader and teacher. The challenges and responsibilities I faced required me to develop essential skills such as communication, organization, and empathy. Leading a team through complex projects taught me the importance of collaboration and resilience while mentoring new members helped me refine my ability to convey knowledge effectively.

FLOW Foundation

By Samuel Appiah

The STEM Academy has many amazing people doing things inside and outside the program. This section spotlights the students in STEM that are going above and beyond in their work. This week's Student Spotlight isn't just one student, but two juniors, Ankur Lamsal and Tyree Franklin. Ankur and Tyree have taken time outside school to create a non-profit organization called “FLOW Foundation”. Ankur and Tyree wanted to help underprivileged children around the world have the opportunity to get help in English, Math, and Computer Science subjects to allow them the chance to learn. Their Opening Day is April 1 so let’s support them and for anyone interested in volunteering, it's great to know that they're still welcoming more help - you can contact them to find out more about the various roles available.

Connections: Internships

By: Tanmayee Thalanki

Why should I apply?

Internships are a great way to expand your horizons and have some work experience. These internships range from freshman to seniors, and have diverse focuses. This month, we highlighted special programs at NASA!

NASA

NASA has incredible internships for all highschoolers. Even if you don’t want to have a career at NASA, these programs teach professional skills you can take anywhere.

Your first steps should be to sign up for NASA’s Gateway Website here. Once you’re signed up, you can search and filter internships based on education level, availability, and more. Here, we’ve selected some particularly interesting

High School Aerospace Scholars

HAS is for upcoming juniors who are interested in aerospace engineering, astronomy, and more. This program is virtual and lasts from fall semester to spring semester, with an opportunity to compete and get an all expenses paid exclusive visit to NASA in Houston. HAS combines everything we have learnt in STEM, with projects combining coding, design, 3D design, research, and collaboration. It may seem daunting, but it is very rewarding.

Deadline: August 2024 (may change)

Virtual - Deep Learning Classification of Kepler/TESS Transit Signals

This program takes deep-learning and combines it with space. In short terms, you will help classify different space bodies from data. An exciting fact is that as a final result, you will discover a new exo-plaent! This specific program is virtual and for 10, 11, 12th graders and higher. One requirement is that they are knowledgeable in Python and deep-learning coding.

Deadline: August 2024 (subject to change)

World STEM News

Habitable Planets

By Bonnie Laffoon

The James Webb Space Telescope at NASA has recently discovered a “super-Earth”; 137 light years away, the TOI-715 b is nearly habitable for human life. Like our solar system, it orbits a red dwarf for one year (19 days on TOI-715 b). Because it has a short orbit period, we see the planet more often on NASA telescopes, which allows us to observe its properties more often. We know that for a planet to be habitable, it must meet the following requirements: liquid water, energy, and nutrients.TOI-715 b is in a habitable zone from its sun, which means the planet will have surface water. Many factors influence a planet’s ability to retain liquid water, such as its atmosphere composition. When CO2 is in high concentration, it increases temperature, which causes water to evaporate. For example, Mercury has high amounts of carbon dioxide in its exosphere* because of its short distance from the sun (31.2M miles). This results in Mercury having no surface water. In extreme cases, such as Uranus (1.82B miles from the sun), the atmosphere is mostly hydrogen, which explains why the planet is 80% ice. TOI-715 b is one of many exoplanets discovered by TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite). Further research of TOI-715 b will reveal the exact size, atmosphere composition, and other properties of the planet. If we can understand how exoplanets function, we can learn more about our home planet and extraterrestrial life (Georgina Dransfield, NASA).

*Instead of having an atmosphere, Mercury has a thin exosphere because its gravitational pull is not strong enough to retain gasses (NASA)

Future of String Theory

By Bonnie Laffoon

In 1986, Gabriele Veneziano discovered that the Euler beta function, (p,q)=(p-1)!(q-1)(p+q-1)!*, could be used to describe the strength of interactions between particles on varying energy scales. The Veneziano amplitude scatters strings on a plot and splits said strings. This is widely remarked as the birth of the String Theory, which theorizes that the universe is composed of subatomic particles as string-like entities. String Theory attempts to fulfill and prove the Unified Field Theory, which seeks to describe the fundamental mechanics of the universe in a unified theoretical framework. These strings vibrate, and based on the vibrations can produce gravitons (hypothetical quantum of gravity), quarks (elementary particles), etc. The strings appear as points due to how small they are, having an estimated length of 10e-33cm. String Theory exists on a ten-dimensional plane, and we can only observe on a four-dimensional plane (three for space, one for time). Observing these strings is practically impossible due to our current technology. We have yet to see any evidence that has a definitive, fundamental description of nature that proves this theory.

Understanding String Theory requires searching for a manifold that describes our universe. Calabi-Yau manifolds are six-dimensional shapes, and based on the theory exist at every point in the universe. Their properties can reveal the number of matter particles present. Scientists aim to discover the exact size and location of the curves/dimples in a manifold. Recently, a team of researchers developed an artificial intelligence algorithm that approximates these metrics. The systems were able to detect the shape of the manifold and how quantum fields overlap. Another team at Oxford later expanded their software and added neural networks, which were able to produce the mass of three quarks. While they can only detect manifolds with few holes, this expands our research capabilities in particle physics. This technological breakthrough is not limited to the String Theory and can be used in other fields such as quantum gravity and theoretical physics. Physicists utilizing AI to detect manifolds or particle masses mark the beginning of a new wave in the development of the String Theory.

*simplified equation

Events & Announcements

STEM & CTE Moving In

By Samuel Appiah

As the year ends, I want to say what an amazing year it has been. With moving from the original STEM halls to the new STEM/CTE Wing, this year was terrific in numerous ways. Last year I had the liberty to write about how excited STEM was to move to our new space. Our expectations for the new space were blown out of the water. Everyone was excited to have a modern and dedicated space for STEM to feel at home. The space was everything we could ever want and ask for. This space makes STEM feel like a school within a school. It was fun being able to have two floors dedicated to STEM classes instead of only two hallways.

With the CTE Wing, we were able to have so many different events such as Game Nights, Movie Nights, EDD, and much more! The space was a place in which we could call home and feel comfortable. Having the chance to be able to have a year in this space is something special because this space brings comfort and the luxury of being a STEM Student. I can’t wait to come back from summer break and come back home.

American Rocketry Challenge

By: Neill Shoemaker

After a year-long journey of designing, constructing, and testing rockets, the Northwest High School Rocketry team has finally qualified for the American Rocketry Challenges’ national competition at the Great Meadows in the Plains, Virginia. This marks the first time in almost 10 years since another team at Northwest High School had competed nationally in the American Rocketry Challenge being a part of the top 100 teams out of 922 in the nation this year.

This year's challenge had 3 major constraints; altitude, flight time, and a body tube transition. The Altitude for this year's challenge had a target of 820 feet, with this target changing to 850 and 800 feet during the national competition. The total flight time constraint of this challenge was to have the rocket launch and touch the ground within the time frame of 43 to 46 seconds. The special constraint for this year's challenge was to include a transition where the top of the rocket has to measure 2.25 inches in diameter, while the bottom of the rocket has to measure 2.5 inches in diameter, changing from last year where the rocket had the same diameter for the top and bottom. Using 0 as the best score possible, for every foot that the teams are away from 820 feet a point is added to their score. For every second that the team falls out of the window of 43 to 46 seconds, 4 points are added to their score, forcing teams to meet the challenge parameters as closely as possible.

Out of 3 competing teams at Northwest High School, the team, Third Times a Charm qualified for nationals with a total score of 9.67 from their 2 best qualification flights, far below the cut-off score of 32.12 this year. After weather delays pushed back the competition to Sunday, May 19th, Third Times a Charm was able to launch their rocket in the morning to reach the first-round goal of 850 feet. After a successful launch and recovery, the team reached an altitude of 796 feet, and a time of 44 seconds giving a score of 56. While this score was not low enough to launch in the second round of flights, the team did place 60th in the nation while also providing the team's younger members with experience in their future competitions.

This year's season had the largest amount of students participating in the American Rocketry Challenge at Northwest High School. The club has grown from 1 team in previous years to now expanding to 3 teams this year and teams launching their rockets over 30 times this year. With this massive increase in participation of students and the expansion of the challenge encompassing challenges like Best Presentation, and Best Marketing we can expect this participation to grow.

While my time in the Rocket Club and the American Rocketry Challenge for the past 3 years is coming to an end I would like to leave some encouraging words for current and future members. Rocketry is a hobby that I believe anyone can excel in, while the idea of it quite literally being rocket science is daunting enough, I came into this hobby not even knowing how to build a rocket myself. The journey to reach nationals is a difficult one where you will make mistakes, but after 3 years I look back at previous seasons' mistakes and upsets fondly. This competition and club have introduced me to friends I would’ve never made otherwise, and have pushed me to lose my fear of failure.

Women in STEM

By Amelia Crawford

The Women in STEM event is a fantastic field trip that honors the ladies in our academy. This event brings in experts from various fields in STEM to talk to and give advice to our students. This is a wonderful opportunity for our female students to meet other women who have not only overcome the challenges of being a woman in a STEM field but have excelled in it.

As one of the female students in the Northwest STEM Academy I have been to Women in STEM a total of three times, and every time I learn something new. The opportunity to talk to these women about their careers, their struggles, and successes is incredibly valuable. At this event, we can make connections with people already in the industry and get new insights into expectations for women in STEM careers.

Overall, the Women in STEM event is a wonderful time to make connections, learn about other fields, and uplift the women in our academy, but you don’t have to just take my word for it, here is what some of the other students there had to say:

“I liked being able to hear the different perspectives. Some people had a really hard time, while others didn’t experience any extra challenges. It was just really nice to get different perspectives and learn about their day-to-day lives.” – Caitlyn Stamm

“I love Women in STEM! It is a very safe and empowering space. I love seeing women working in the field that I am interested in, and it gives you a really nice sense of community.” – Asia Hamilton

“It was interesting to learn more about the lives of women in STEM. Also, I had never heard of material sciences before, so it was interesting to learn about this new field!” – Tanmayee Thalanki

Women in STEM is a fantastic event where the women in our academy can meet many incredible people.

ACE Mentor Program

By Stacey Petty

The ACE (Architecture, Construction, Engineering) industries have played a vital role in shaping our society and the way we live and grow. They are responsible for the built environment surrounding spaces that we use daily. These professions are crucial in providing essential services for our society to function effectively. Architects and engineers design buildings and infrastructure that meet the community's needs. Skilled construction workers build these structures, ensuring they are safe, efficient, and sustainable.

They also contribute significantly to the economy, creating jobs and supporting local communities. They play a notable role in promoting sustainability by using materials and techniques that reduce energy consumption and minimize waste. Additionally, the industry is continually evolving by incorporating new technologies and materials to improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability. The design and construction industries have a profound impact on our society, and their work affects us all. Without these professions, we wouldn't have access to essential infrastructure and services that support our daily lives.

The ACE Mentorship Program is an after-school program for high school juniors and seniors. It meets once a week throughout the school year and offers a valuable platform for networking and seeking expert guidance in various industries. Each week, we delve into a different career with a mentor from that field, gaining insights into their daily routines, working hours, responsibilities, experiences, and the necessary skill set for success. The weekly opportunities to learn more about different fields are fundamental in helping identify preferences and disfavor of career paths.

Throughout this course, students will be divided into teams to create a project for the seasonal challenge for five months and then each team will have the opportunity to present their project in front of a panel of experts in February and will be awarded to the top three teams. Additionally, ACE offers three scholarships for seniors and one scholarship for a junior. The senior scholarships range from $5,000 to $10,000 and can be used for any college of the recipient's choice. The junior scholarship offers $5,000 to be used for any ACE summer camp of their choice.

Northwest STEM students have been the running champs for the final presentations and scholarships these past two seasons. We coordinated our outfits for our presentation and handed the judges an SOQ on the day of the presentations. Our presentations had a clean aesthetic and beautiful render of our solution. We felt confident in our solution based on the skills we've learned.

The 2022-2023 Season’s challenge was to design a stadium to be built for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the Fort Worth area. They strived to create something inviting that captures the tradition of Fort Worth while sustaining a long-lasting and unique impact on the skyline.

The 2023-2024 Season’s challenge was to design an exhibit as an extension to the Fort Worth Zoo on Panther Island. They set on a mission to strengthen the bond between humans and the environment by promoting responsible stewardship of wildlife and ensuring high-quality educational and entertaining family experiences through effective and efficient management of resources.

My experience with the ACE mentors has been invaluable. I've learned the importance of collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills in the ACE industry. Effective communication and collaboration are vital to success in both personal and professional settings. From working on a project with colleagues to making plans with friends, or seeking guidance from a mentor, effective teamwork can significantly impact our ability to achieve our goals and foster stronger relationships.

Through ACE, I've had the chance to connect with professionals who have provided me with valuable experience in their respective fields. The mentors I've had the pleasure of working with have guided me through the industry and given me crucial insights into further education in this field. The guidance and support I've received from them have been vital in shaping my plans. After seeking advice from my mentors I am confident and optimistic about the future and excited about the opportunities this experience has helped me prepare for. I am truly grateful for this opportunity to learn from such knowledgeable and experienced professionals.

Recap: A year of ACE

By Maxine Nucum

Recently, some of our fellow STEM students placed 1st & 2nd place in the ACE Mentor Program presenting the final presentation for a 6 month project. The ACE Mentor Program is an after-school program that meets once a week with high school students and prioritizes workforce development by connecting them with experts from the design and construction industry. The mission of this program is, “to engage, excite, and enlighten high school students to pursue careers in architecture, engineering, and construction through mentoring and continued support for their advancement into the industry.”Throughout this program they were tasked to create a zoo exhibit with the given constraints of the Fort Worth Zoo as their client and the location of Panther Island, Fort Worth.Not only do they work in groups for their project, they also receive presentations and mentorship on topics surrounding architecture, civil, and construction engineering to help with deliverables needed in the final presentation. To end the program the 8 groups presented their final presentation, and at the event, there were 2 judges in attendance who decided on the winners.The Gorilla Exhibit presented by Liam Chester, Morgan Dinh, Stacey Petty, Tristan Saddler, and Pepper Stevens, won 1st place with Petty awarded a $10,000 scholarship and Saddler receiving $1,250 for a summer camp. The Polar Bear Exhibit presented by Nairah Cuevas, Evan Garcia, Gabi Falcon-Gonzalez, Ben Martini, and Maxine Nucum placed 2nd place with Garcia awarded a $5,000 scholarship.

Hillwood: Student Influencer Group

By Owen Hooks

My classmates and I recently had the incredible opportunity to participate in the AllianceTexas Student Influencer Program, directed by Hillwood. This nine-month-long program was an amazing journey that promised personal and professional growth for all students that participated.

The AllianceTexas Student Influencer Program is a relatively new initiative founded by Hope Bell and Sara Hunton to teach students within the AllianceTexas area about networking with professional opportunities and insights. One of my favorite opportunities of this experience was the tours that were provided allowing students to observe how companies organize their offices, all the way to witnessing the process of a heart procedure.

One presentation that I thoroughly enjoyed was by Manna, an up-and-coming Irish drone delivery company that operates exclusively in suburban areas. This innovative company showcased the future of delivery services using state of the art technologies to track and deliver food with near perfect accuracy.

During the program, my classmates and I were also given a task to identify a company that we thought would be a great addition to the AllianceTexas area and shares Hillwood’s goal of innovation and progress. This question was posed to all students, and we were then split into six teams with students from different districts or schools. After all the experiences concluded, each team had to present their chosen company at Charles Schwab’s AllianceTexas location.

Overall, this experience has given my fellow classmates and me a valuable glimpse into professional work styles and operations across various fields. This program is truly amazing, and I can't wait to see next year’s Student Influencers experience it.

If you would like more information about this experience I have linked to Hillwood’s website here.

Banquet: Meet Me at Midnight

By Gabby Falcon Gonzalez

On April 27th the STEM Academy held their 2023-2024 Banquet. This year's banquet to no surprise was one to remember. This year’s theme was Midnights, picture the starry cloudy night sky. The STEM Academy hosts a banquet at the end of every year to celebrate the success of every student for the school year. It also consists of many announcements such as new council officers, booster scholarship winners, and teacher speeches. All in all, the banquet in particular celebrates the success of the academy seniors. It is a final party to showcase all the wonderful aspects of our senior class. Throughout the night many announcements are made to recognize students. This year was particularly special to me because I was celebrating the success of my classmates and my final year.

To start the banquet, Booster President Rachel Simpson makes a big welcome speech, welcoming parents and students to our banquet and arranging for senior students and parents to line up for dinner. As a tradition for every year, Seinors are first in line to gather food followed by juniors, sophomores, and freshmen. Once everyone was finished with their dinner, seniors were getting ready to be announced. The recognition of the seniors is one of the most important announcements that takes place at the banquet. Each senior is announced by our lovely EDD teacher Kim Garrett. As the senior's names and college decisions are announced they walk across the venue to gather at the front for one last final senior picture and watch the senior slideshow. This is a very emotional time for the parents and teachers as they are watching the kids they knew when they were little are all grown up.

As we continue the night, we move onto the recognition of the STEM teachers. Teacher speeches are a cherished tradition at the banquet, offering educators a platform to share words of wisdom, encouragement, and reflection with the graduating seniors and the council officers. These speeches highlight memorable moments from the academic year, offer advice for the future, and express gratitude to students for their contributions to the school community. Teacher speeches serve as a poignant reminder of the impact educators have on their students' lives and underscore the sense of mentorship and support that characterizes the academy.

The announcement of new council officers is a pivotal moment in the banquet, marking the transition of leadership within the student body. These officers, elected or appointed, take on roles of responsibility and serve as representatives for their peers. Their dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive school environment is celebrated during the banquet, highlighting the importance of student leadership in shaping the academy's culture. The new council is announced by the current council president Gabriella Falcon Gonzalez. Congratulations to 2024-2025 STEM Council President Maxine Nucum and all of the other officers.

Lastly, The recognition of Booster Scholarship winners is a testament to the hard work and dedication of exceptional students. These scholarships, often sponsored by STEM Booster, provide financial support to deserving students pursuing higher education or specific career paths. The banquet provides an opportunity to applaud the recipients' achievements and to express gratitude to the generous donors who make these scholarships possible. This year's recipients were Stacey Petty, Evan Garcia, and Gabriella Falcon Gonzalez.

STEM Booster wanted to give a special thank you to two very outstanding people. Rachel Simpson (Booster President) who has served 9 years with Booster and Abel Falcon ( Booster Treasure) who has served 6 years with Booster announced their retirement for the 2024 school year. Both Mrs. Simpson and Mr. Falcon have dedicated many years to STEM. The Booster officers and STEM council arranged to have gifts. President Falcon Gonzalez was the one to present the gifts at the banquet and said a final thank you to them for everything they have done for STEM.

To end off the night there were pictures and dancing until the end of the banquet. This allows parents students and teachers to mingle with their peers and enjoy the rest of the night. We would like to give a special thank you to STEM Booster, Parents volunteers, Nava Associates, and STEM for making this banquet one to remember without them none of this would have been possible.

STEM Council Officers Announced

Each spring the STEM Council Officers are named for the upcoming year. This year, those announcements were made at the banquet and through personal emails and social media posts. We are excited for an awesome 2024-25 school year!

Congratulations to our new officers! Are you interested in being part of STEM Council? We would love for you to join us ... think of STEM Council like a student council but for STEM! Our officers lead meetings, plan events, and work with the booster club to ensure we have a great year in STEM.

President: Maxine N.

Vice President: Samuel A. & Bonnie L.

Secretary: Reid. J.

Treasurer: Hunter S.

Historian: Owen H. & Tristan S.

Public Relations: Samuel A. & Dylan H.

Senior Rep: Preston A. & Caitlyn S.

Junior Rep: John K. & Lillian V.

Sophomore Rep: Janzen L. & Sharonne T.

Freshman Rep: Coming Soon- Fall 2024

Supply Lists for the Fall

We shared the School Supply List a few weeks ago but wanted to mention it here too -

While STEM/CTE cover many of your supplies, there are several things that you will want to have for the fall:

Each student needs a planner, wireless mouse and a flash drive - plus pens/pencils of course!

These items are important to YOUR success in your STEM classes and beyond! Get the year started on the correct (and organized) foot!

Summer Reading

Growth over the summer is key -

Our 9th grade students will continue reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey. This book is a great read and helps students learn how to manage their time and actions for success.

Our 10th grade students will be reading Dream Differently by Vince Bertram, the CEO of PLTW. We are excited to use this text to help engage our students (and parents!) in great discussions about how to think forward to the future.

The 11th grade students will be reading Grit by Angela Duckworth. This book is an in depth look at how having passion and persevering helps students achieve success.

Last but not least, our seniors are taking on the summer reading for STEM Seniors, How to College: What to Know Before You Go. While the title is about college, this book really covers huge topics of "life" -- like understanding credit, lease agreements, health insurance and how to find support on a college campus and in communities. We are excited about how this book will guide conversations within our classrooms and beyond.

All of the summer reading books will have discussion elements and assignments in multiple STEM courses starting in the Fall. Students should check their email to find our more about the summer assignments. We are excited about the conversations that these new reads will start with our students and parents! Join us as we read these books, discuss their importance on our lives and share our pathway to success!

Stay "in the know" by following our official social media accounts!

Page updated

Report abuse