This weekend the Robotics Team competed at the Lone Star Regional Competition! There were 67 teams in attendance from many different states and countries, including Mexico and Turkey. The team had an amazing time, despite numerous technical setbacks relating to the robot. The highlight of the tournament came during the closing ceremonies when it was announced that Energy won the Rookie All-Star Award! This is the most prestigious and difficult award to earn for first-year teams, and there were 11 rookie teams competing for it. Rookie All-Star Award means our team was the most exemplary first-year team present. The team will serve as an inspiration and model for future rookie teams to aspire to become. As an added bonus, this award qualified the team to compete at the World Championships in St. Louis! Energy will compete with 900 other teams from over 30 different countries playing in front of crowds reaching 40,000. Congratulations to the Robotics Team!

FIRST is the most challenging, fast-paced, and prestigious robotics competition for high school students. The end-product was a robot weighing approximately 150 pounds equipped to complete many different obstacles and challenges in a particular game. The game changes every year, minimizing how much pre-preparation the team could do before the six week season began. In the process, students gained valuable technical skills, such as machining, fabrication, design, electrical, and programming, as well as all the "soft" skills that came with serving on a team and becoming a leader. Last year, FIRST gave over $26M in scholarships for participating students, and our students will be 12x more likely to earn a scholarship through their participation in robotics than through traditional sports.

 

This year's game, Stronghold, was a medieval tower defense game, where alliances of three robots attempted to cross and destroy medieval defenses and siege their opponent's tower, damaging it with "boulders", and then scaling it. Over 25 Energy students contributed well over 3,000 man-hours to this project. The amount of dedication and perseverance they've shown this season has been truly incredible. The entire Energy community sends a huge THANK YOU to Ms. Alexander who has worked tirelessly the entire year to build a successful robotics team. Your hard work is appreciated by the entire Energy family!

Recycling Club Members: Luis Alvarez (Essay Writer), Simei Avila, Chance Bednorz, Saige Cade (Vice-President), Kaleigh Davis, Mayra Espinosa, Amber Farias (President), Nancy Mastache, Michael Osueke, Abigail Parakoyi, Candido Rodriguez, Thalinee Srichomthong, and Lucero Zamarripa (Secretary). Student Supporters: Jade Autry, Daniel Flores, Giselle Guevara, Rose Moreno, Wilbert Moore, Valentin Roman, Justin Ta, Alexis Thomas, and Nathaniel White.

The Energy Converters had a great weekend of competition at the City of Houston "Growing Up Recycling" Cart Contest which was held at the HISD "When I Grow Up" Career Expo this past Saturday, April 9th, 2016. The students gave an oral presentation to judges and patrons about their Wall-E robot design. The Energy Converters earned first place and $550 for their organization. The purpose of the contest was for the students to create a design that reflects growing up recycling by utilizing recycled materials and minimal paint. Once the design was complete the students wrote an essay that explains their use of materials and the meaning behind their design. Shout out to Ms. Phillips (Art Teacher) for tips and the chaperones, Dr. Hall, Ms. DeLeon, and Ms. DeLaRosa. An additional thanks to all who came out to support the students at the event.

Volunteers:  Angie Sanchez,  Shankeria Kindle,  Ana Carreon,  Kevin Rubio,  Jorge Ramirez,  Jose Ponce,  Jesus Ipina,  Alvaro Vela,  Jorge Gomez,  Zach Mustafa,  Maxwell Jackson,  Diego Valerio, and  Diego De Leon 

We are so proud of the Energy Woods Project Club members who participated in the East End Community Volunteer Day sponsored by Wells Fargo.  The volunteers and students worked together to plant 25 trees in the esplanades along Mason Park and along Garland.  A huge thank you to Dr. Gibson for chaperoning the event!

Discover U Student Spotlight

Congratulations to Jose Saravia and Dylan Gates who were accepted into the 2016 Rice Program in Mathematics.  This program is co-sponsored by the Rice University Mathematics Department and the National Science Foundation.  The week long program is held on campus and students earn a stipend for successful completion of the program.  Congratulations Dylan and Jose!

Congratulations to Lucero Zamarripa!  Lucero was accepted into the National Hispanic Institute LDZ Youth Legislative Session back in March and was recently awarded a $185.00 scholarship from DiscoverU to attend this summer program.  In total, Lucero has earned $585.00 in scholarship from HISD and DiscoverU, making this opportunity affordable for her family.  Great job not only on your application Lucero, but seeking out opportunities and scholarships to ensure you have a productive and meaningful summer opportunity!

ENERGY STORE NOW OPEN!

Visit the cafeteria on Wednesdays and Fridays during lunch or after school.  Volunteers needed!  If you would like to help with the Energy Store please contact [email protected]. 

NEW Spirit Item: Energy Long Sleeved Tee - $18-$20 MANDATORY Uniform Polo's are still available - $25

JOIN NOW and shop our Energy store for spirit items!

Tutorials will begin promptly at 8:30am and finish at 11:30am for our ninth and tenth grade students.  

Saturday, April 23rd: STAAR Algebra 1 and Biology

Saturday, April 30th: STAAR Algebra 1 and Biology

Trustee Diana Dávila is partnering with the Family and Community Engagement Department to host the District VIII Parent Summit on College Readiness for your families. The purpose of the event is to give parents resources and information to help them prepare their kids for college and successful careers. The event will take place on Wednesday, May 4th at Jackson MS from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Check out more details and information here!