2019-2020 WIT Members

Activity Calendar

Wharton County Junior College and Texas State Technical College- October 24, 2019

Texas A&M University Nuclear Science Center- November 14, 2019

ATOM Thanksgiving Engineering Challenge- November 19, 2019

Rice University- November 21, 2019

ATOM to Space Center Houston- December 14, 2019

Brazosport College- January 9, 2020

Toyota Texas and University of Texas San Antonio- January 24, 2020

ATOM to Moody Gardens- February 15, 2020

Houston Construction Systems Specialists- February 27, 2020

Hosting Science on Saturday- March 21, 2020

WCJC and TSTC Field Trip

TAMU Nuclear Science Center and Zachry Engineering Education Complex Field Trip

The trip started at the Nuclear Science Center where members observed the 1 megawatt TRIGA reactor and learned about the research conducted at the center. The Foster WIT members were also able to see a radioactive sample from Marie Curie’s laboratory (one of only two in the world)! The group then toured the new Zachry Engineering Education Complex. Members learned about the “smart classrooms,” labs, and design center available for all engineering students.

IAEA International Group Visit to Foster HS

IAEA visited the Foster High School WIT program on Friday, November 15, 2019. The visiting group consisted of politicians and engineers from nine different countries. The visit began with light refreshments before the Foster WIT officers spoke. Temidayo Adekanye introduced the WIT program and the field trips; Simren D'souza discussed the ATOM mentoring events; Fabiana Saa discussed last year's Science on Saturday event; and Eniayo Osilaja discussed how Foster WIT will participate in the IAEA international competition. The visit concluded with a tour of the PLTW engineering shop and the Foster High School athletic facilities.

ATOM Thanksgiving Engineering Challenge

On Tuesday, November 19 fifteen ATOM members from Briscoe Junior High came to Foster High School to participate in a Thanksgiving-themed engineering challenge with their WIT mentors. After a quick snack of pie and cupcakes, the ATOM and WIT members were broken into teams. Each team was told to create a balloon-powered vehicle for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The teams had limited supplies, so they had to think outside the box to create their vehicles. At the end of the afternoon, each vehicle was tested to see which one would travel the furthest. All ATOM and WIT members had a blast!

Rice University Field Trip

ATOM Field Trip to NASA

The Foster WIT and Briscoe ATOM programs visited Space Center Houston on Saturday, December 14. The visit began with the tram tour of the Johnson Space Center. While on the tour, WIT and ATOM members viewed the astronaut training facility and one of the remaining Saturn V rockets. Later, ATOM members and WIT members paired up to explore the exhibits in Space Center Houston. One of the favorite exhibits was Independence Plaza; this exhibit focused on the shuttle era and included a shuttle replica and original shuttle carrier aircraft. Overall, both WIT and ATOM members had a BLAST!

Brazosport College Field Trip

The Foster High School WIT program visited Brazosport College on Thursday, January 9, 2020. While touring the campus, members learned about several programs offered at Brazosport College, including Career and Technology, Chemical and Refining Industries, and Health Professions. All programs focus on hands-on learning, so skills labs and workshops were the highlight of the tour.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing and University of Texas San Antonio Field Trip

The Foster High School WIT program visited the Toyota Motor Manufacturing facility (TMMTX) and the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) on Friday, January 24, 2020. The first stop of the day was TMMTX for a facility tour. WIT members saw the Body Weld Shop, Plastics Shop, and Assembly Line while learning about how Toyota implements Just-in-Time and Kaizen theory throughout the manufacturing process. After visiting TMMTX, WIT members went on a tour of UTSA; members were impressed with the programs of study offered and student community life at the university. Many WIT members said that Friday's field trip was the best field trip of the year!

ATOM Field Trip to Moody Gardens

The Foster WIT and Briscoe ATOM programs visited Moody Gardens on Saturday, February 15, 2020. The visit began with a tour of the Rainforest Pyramid. Although the pyramid was very humid, the WIT and ATOM members enjoyed learning about the plant and animal life that lives in a rainforest, especially the river otters, anaconda, and leaf cutter ants. The visit continued with a tour of the Aquarium Pyramid. The WIT and ATOM members explored ocean life while observing the tanks, and their favorite part of the Aquarium Pyramid was interacting with the animals in the touch tanks (sting rays, jellyfish, and starfish). Overall, both WIT and ATOM members had a fun-filled day at Moody Gardens!

HCSS Field Trip

The Foster WIT program visited Heavy Construction Systems Specialists (HCSS) on February 27, 2020. The visit began with a tour of the HCSS facilities. On the tour, Foster WIT members observed the various departments at HCSS; the tour also showcased how HCSS promotes a positive company culture (video game lounges, slide, dog kennels, outdoor track, and basketball court). After the tour, the Foster WIT members listened to presentations from the marketing and software development departments. The presenters focused on the responsibilities and the educational background required for each department. Overall, the trip to HCSS was one of the best field trips of the year, for the Foster WIT members learned that not all companies are boring on the inside!