STEMspired
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- Cedar Hill ISD
- STEMspired
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In February 2021, Educate Texas and the Texas Instruments (TI) Foundation awarded Cedar Hill ISD with a multi-year, multi-million dollar grant to make STEM education available to every scholar. With additional support from higher education partners, the workforce and the community, the effort will reinvent scholar learning experiences, make STEM education accessible for all and further instill community respect and pride. Click here to read the official press release.
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Executive Summary
The U.S. economy has seen a tremendous increase in the prevalence of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) jobs since the turn of the century. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM occupations are expected to grow at a rate over 76% higher than non-STEM job growth nationwide. Since Texas is expected to offer the nation’s second-highest percentage of these careers, our schools must ensure that scholars - especially those who are part of low-income families or are people of color - are prepared for the marketplace of the future.
In February 2021, Educate Texas and the Texas Instruments (TI) Foundation awarded Cedar Hill ISD with a multi-year, multi-million dollar grant to make STEM education available to every scholar. With additional support from higher education partners, the workforce and the community, the effort will reinvent scholar learning experiences, make STEM education accessible for all and further instill community respect and pride.
In 2019-2020, more than 700 children transferred into CHISD from surrounding schools, but more than 2,800 children who are zoned to Cedar Hill ISD chose other options for education. The multi-year, multi-million dollar partnership with the TI Foundation is a step toward bringing those Longhorns home and preparing all scholars for the world that awaits them. It also gives CHISD the resources to change the trajectory for scholars, pour support into classrooms and bring true innovation to the Cedar Hill community.
STEMspired is Cedar Hill ISD’s mindset of systemwide STEM implementation. It derives from the district’s motto of Educate. Empower. Inspire, and means science, technology, engineering and math education that arises from an external creative impulse.
There are four primary goals of the CHISD STEMspired initiative:
Redesign Learning
- Engage scholars in learning experiences that build the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing, technologically rich, and global economy.
Develop Talent
- Ensure that teachers and leaders are equipped to provide evidence-based, engaging instructional strategies that increase STEM literacy.
Build Partnerships
- Increase equity and access to high-quality STEM education both inside and outside of the classroom environment.
Learn and Adapt
- Monitor and evaluate CHISD district-wide STEM education and adjust when necessary by following our board approved continuous improvement model.
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- STEM experiences for all scholars
- STEM experiences at every campus
- Teaching support to align STEM at every level
- A system-wide plan that affects all staff, scholars and families in CHISD
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- Pockets of STEM courses in certain classes and campuses.
- Implementation lead by science & math teachers
- STEM experiences only available at the new STEM Center
- Campus & academic based initiative
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A STEMspired Community
The benefits of STEM education will be felt not only in the classroom but in the greater Cedar Hill community. Within the STEMspired initiative, there are opportunities for businesses, civic organizations and higher education institutions to join the movement.
Higher Education Partners: Design and implement practicums for teacher candidates with opportunities to learn from exceptional STEM educators.
Business Community: Partner with CHISD campuses to provide scholar (paid and non-paid) and teacher internships, job shadows, and tours within STEM and CTE companies.
Civic & Religious Organizations: Enhance community engagement, increase awareness and establish systems for continued and expanded school support of STEM.
Parents & Families: Participate in setting the career goals for scholars by instilling the importance of career exploration.
Cedar Hill ISD STEMspired Announcement
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7,625 SCHOLARS
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91% AFRICAN-AMERICAN OR HISPANIC
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7 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
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3 MIDDLE SCHOOLS
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2 HIGH SCHOOLS
STEMspired Testimonials
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Jordan Nicholas - CHHS Junior and Future Welder
Jordan Nicholas discovered last year that welding allows him to express his creativity.
“The most important part of welding is that I can make something out of anything that I find,” said Nicholas, a 16-year-old Cedar Hill High School junior. “The trophies I create are all made from used car parts.” Nicholas earned a TACK Welding Certification last year as a sophomore which is impressive, but even more so because of what he has been through. When he was 3 years old, Nicholas began having multiple seizures. His parents did everything they could to ensure that he would receive the proper medical care. Nicholas, who was enrolled in Special Education programs, had to have a vagus nerve installed. It’s a nerve stimulator that basically serves as a “pacemaker for the brain.” It had to be replaced every few years as Nicholas matriculated through Waterford Oaks and Lake Ridge elementary schools and Bessie Coleman Middle School “Welding gives me an avenue for my future.”
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Reyonna Turner - CHHS Junior and Business Owner
During school hours on weekdays, Reyonna Turner is all about academic achievement.
For the rest of the time, the Cedar Hill High School junior puts most of her energy into operating a new franchise, The Cotton Kandy Factory, which she opened in October in Cedar Hill. It only serves cotton candy now, but Turner expects that more items could be added in the coming weeks and months, such as popcorn or lollipops.
Turner recognized a demand for the sweet treat, which is often served at events like professional sporting events, fairs and the circus. With many of those events canceled or scaled back due to COVID-19, Turner said the demand for cotton candy remains strong.
“I have always liked cotton candy and used to get it at the circus,” Turner said. “I saw this as a chance to make it available to people. We serve high quality, gourmet cotton candy.” Turner is responsible for marketing the business, which she does through social media, a website and a special text message list with deals and specials for those who sign up. She does all of this while juggling high school classes.
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Jackson Hickman - West Point Cadet
In an uncertain time, Jackson Hickman is sure of one thing. “I like securing things,” said the Cedar Hill High School senior “I like to be secure, and I want other people to be secure as well.” Cedar Hill HS Class of 2020 graduate Jackson Hickman is finishing up his first semester at West Point Preparatory Academy in West Point, NY. He is studying Computer Science with a career goal of Cybersecurity and first became interested in Computer Science when he took an interest in coding while attending CHHS.
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Stephen Mason - Mayor of Cedar Hill, TX
In 2000, Stephen Mason graduated from Cedar Hill High School and went on to attend Texas Christian University. This proud Longhorn is President of Mas-Tek Engineering, which provides geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing services.
In Cedar Hill we know Mr. Mason as our fellow alumni and mayor. We know what is possible when we can meet the needs of every scholar and give them a learning experience that taps into their potential. There are future engineers, teachers, doctors and even another city leader sitting in our classrooms.
