Moody Minute News
Each week, HPISD features STEAM and Moody Institute initiatives, activities and classroom lessons that illustrate the various opportunities students are exposed to that expand their learning. From engaging in hands-on activities and experiences to learning from professional experts through guest lecture series, these programs foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills that prepare students for college.
Nov. 19 Moody Minute
Moody family visits HPHS
Ross and Elle Moody visited Highland Park High School in November to tour the Moody Institute of Innovation and the MAPS Center. Superintendent Dr. Tom Trigg and Executive Director Dr. Geoffrey Orsak along with MAPS student Gracie Handler, an HPHS senior who has taken two different MAPS tracks, assisted with the tour. The Moody family was able to see firsthand the tremendous impact their generous gift is having on advanced education in HPISD.
EarthX and STEAM
Pre-K students at Hyer Elementary used solar energy to create art and learned ways to conserve energy at home. The lesson is the fourth in a series of hands-on experiences for students made possible through a partnership between Earth X and the HPISD STEAM program.
Coding and robotics
Sixth-grade students at McCulloch Intermediate explored the basics of coding and robotics. Students used online coding to “Clean Up the Coral Reef” and then learned to drive the matching rover.
MAPS students design summer camp activities with help from the 18+ program
MAPS Brain Science Health students worked with the HP 18+ students on the testing of projects for Ability Connection. MAPS Students developed and tested summer camp activities incorporating sensation and perception appropriate for individuals with physical or cognitive impairments. This is the second year that HP students have worked on this project.
MAPS students are excited about seeing their ideas put into action this summer. The camp will provide a comprehensive meaningful summer program designed for tweens and teenagers ages 10-17 with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This program will run on a full-day block schedule led by certified special education instructors, focusing on improving educational, vocational and social skills in a safe and enriching environment.
Dec. 3 Moody Minute
Students learn Salesmanship 101
For the third year in a row, HP Alumni Tom and Thomas Rhodes of the Rhodes Group presented Sales 101 to the MAPS Business Design and Leadership class at HPHS. The exercise drove home successful sales skills applicable in business and in life. Rhodes made the point that “Selling isn’t telling, so give others the space to speak. Speaking is about you; listening is about them. If you make life more about others, you’ll find yourself happier in the long run.”
The students will put their newly-acquired sales skills to use as volunteers for this year’s Mad for Plaid campaign by making follow-up phone calls to HP alumni.
STEAM lesson takes on Lego ice excavation challenge
Armstrong Elementary students were among the first in the district to complete a new STEAM lesson about glaciers, types of scientists and archaeology. Now through January, all pre-K through fourth-grade students will participate in this cross-curricular STEAM lesson that involves scientific surveying, planning, data selection and story writing.
MAPS courses offer industry-relevant experiences
Dec. 10 Moody Minute
High school students grow as entrepreneurs
Students in the MAPS Business Leadership and Design program met with industry experts to pitch early entrepreneurial ideas. Guest experts provided feedback and asked probing questions to help students learn and grow as rising entrepreneurs.
Sixth-grade students gain coding knowledge 
McCulloch Intermediate sixth-grade students in Marianne Wessman's math class learned the basics of coding this week with a programmer and rover activity as part of the school's STEAM curriculum.
HPMS journalism students meet with SMU professor
HPMS students interviewed Executive Director of the Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship Simon Mak for the latest edition of the Raider Career Review. Mak is a professor of practice in entrepreneurship at the SMU Cox School of Business. He specializes in opportunity identification, start-up business planning and corporate entrepreneurship. Watch the full interview here.
Elementary students go forth to serve
The first of five elementary campus blood drives was kicked off Dec. 7 at University Park elementary school. This is the third year that HPISD has held this districtwide effort. Leading up to the blood drive, TAG students spend time learning about the human heart and how blood is a connective tissue made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma. The lessons culminate into hosting a blood drive to provide a real-world component. Students also made brochures and flyers that were used to present their research to donors, which included staff members, families and community volunteers. Donors also received student-made thank you cards for helping them make a difference in the HP community.
