March 30th	Spring Holiday
April 3rd	ACT In-School Exam for Juniors
April 4th	Class of 2022 Magnet Signing Day
April 14th	When I Grow Up Career Expo
April 18th - 21st	FRC World Championships
April 21st	Day of Service Event with the Travis Manion Foundation
April 24th	SAT In-School Exam for Juniors
April 26th	Energy "Oilers" Baseball Game
April 28th	Senior Prom

This week's teacher spotlight is Ms. Rachel Alexander! Before her time at Energy, Ms. Alexander attended Rice University, where she received a patent for a low-cost premature baby monitor for developing countries. Currently, Ms. Alexander teaches AP Computer Science, Digital Electronics, and Engineering Design and Development. In the past, she has taught PreAP Computer Science, Robotics 1, and Robotics 2. Aside from teaching at Energy, she is also a computer science student at Rice University and plans to receive her graduate degree in 2021.

One of the main reasons that Ms. Alexander was hired to work at Energy was found our school's robotics program. During her first year teaching at Energy, she started the FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) and VEX Robotics teams, which remain two of the most popular organizations on campus. In the years following her arrival, Ms. Alexander also helped establish the school's FTC and BEST Robotics teams. She is currently coaching the FRC team which kicked off in January. From the time that this year's competition was announced, the team had just over 6 weeks to finish building a robot. This year, Ms. Alexander assisted students as they created a 4.5 foot and 120-pound robot that is able to lift and stack boxes on a giant scale and earn points. While constructing the robot, members of Energy's FRC team were able to utilize the many resources on campus, including the 3D printer and CNC mill.

In addition to her devotion to robotics and teaching, Ms. Alexander is an avid ferret enthusiast and owner of three pet ferrets named Sir Isaac Newton, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Grace Hopper. 

Words of Wisdom:

"Don't eat rulers; just be happy."

Wednesday, March 7th, the Lightning Volts cohort held its Landmark Key exhibition. Students researched the culture, genetic diseases, literature, and architecture of countries  across the world. To showcase their findings, each team 3D-printed a model of a significant landmark in their country. Then, auto-boxes scan the model to play a recording of the landmark's history and a specific genetic disease in the landmark's country. In addition to the models and auto-boxes, students compiled their research onto infographics, and each student of the team had their own mini-project to present. Guests were thoroughly impressed by the Lightning Volts' cultural food, attire, drawings, 3D models, and performances. We look forward to what's in store for their next PBL.

For the past two and half months, freshmen from the AC/DC cohort have been working on their driving question, "How can individuals make a difference in global sustainability?" In English, students are writing an essay explaining a solution for their energy source. In engineering, students are creating a product that educates children about sustainability. This semester they researched specific energy types and consulted with guest speakers, including Professor Daniel Levin and Dr. Temple Northup, who are both experienced in filmmaking and cinema. According to a number of students, the knowledge they received from Professor Levin and Dr. Northup has been significantly helpful in their projects. The students said that the main thing they learned from these guest speakers was how to connect with people to better promote their ideas and cause. 

In their Engineering Design and Development class, seniors are building their prototypes for their year-long project. Last semester, they identified a problem, innovated upon existing solutions, and presented their findings at the winter exhibition. First place winners - Luis Alvarez, Isaiah Diaz, David Salvador, and Lucero Zamarripa - are creating their prototype inspired by the Pythagorean cup to maximize the volume capacity in a reservoir. Their goal is to add the structure to a reservoir to decrease the ratio of water outflow-to-inflow and increase the emergency response time. Energy is looking forward to seeing the seniors' final products at the senior exhibition on May 3, 2018. We hope to see you there!

College preparation starts the first year you begin at Energy. Check back to the "College Corner" often to learn about opportunities that will help you not only prepare for college, but will help you discover your passions and interests to make informed college choice your senior year. Summer programs are filling up, so make sure you are taking advantage of our partnership with  DiscoverU  and find a fantastic summer learning opportunity!

As March begins, most seniors have received their college offers and are deciding where they will attend. Energy is proud to announce that seniors from the class of 2018 have been accepted to over sixty-three colleges across the country such as California, Alaska, Massachusetts, New York, and Oregon. Congratulations, seniors! The yellow states in the graphic below show the location of the universities that the graduating class of 2018 have been accepted.