Welcome to the Home of the STEM Owls!

APPLY NOW for a 9th grade spot for the 2019-2020 school year!

The first application deadline has passed, but students can still apply for a spot on our wait list at https://saisdchoice.com/. Offers will be announced the week of Feb. 18. Be sure to accept your seat once offers are sent!

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STEM Events Calendar

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March 2019

March 2019

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
24	25	26 4:30p Robotics and Cyber Patriot Club Meetings	27	28	1 All Day Mayor's K-12 Smart City Challenge Launch Clinic All Day UTSA Engineering Day	2
3	4	5 4:30p Robotics and Cyber Patriot Club Meetings	6 10:00a STEM Career Fair 4:30p Student Magnet Meeting	7	8 All Day End of Quarter 3 All Day Student Early Release	9 All Day SAT
10	11 All Day Spring Break	12 4:30p Robotics and Cyber Patriot Club Meetings	13	14	15	16
17	18	19 4:30p Robotics and Cyber Patriot Club Meetings	20 3:45p STEM Group Photo ALL STUDENTS!	21 4:30p ACE Program Meeting	22	23
24	25	26 4:30p Robotics and Cyber Patriot Club Meetings	27 All Day SAT Testing - Grade 11	28	29	30
31	1	2 4:30p Robotics and Cyber Patriot Club Meetings	3 4:30p Student Magnet Meeting 5:00p STEM Welcome Night	4 4:30p ACE Program Meeting	5	6

Read Our STEM College/Scholarship/Opportunity Guides

Don't miss out on opportunities! Use our STEM guides for college research, scholarships, internships, and summer camps. Begin your research and applications ASAP so that you don't miss deadlines and can be eligible for financial aid/scholarships to achieve your dreams.

College Guide

Scholarship Guide

Summer Opportunity Guide

STEM Career Fair March 6

Students - Prepare your resume and practice your interview/networking skills! Come learn about STEM careers from some of the best San Antonio STEM employers. Juniors and Seniors are invited to attend the STEM Career Fair on March 6, stay tuned for information on how to sign up.

Featured companies/programs who will be at the event: CPS Energy, HEB, Pape-Dawson Engineering, CodeUp, Jungle Disk, US Navy, US Air Force, TX FAME, Johnson Controls, Spectrum Lighting, Solar Alliance LLC, New Horizons Computer Learning Centers, San Antonio River Authority

Industry and Career Reps - It's not too late to sign up to participate in the career fair and meet our students! Email Ms. Garcia at mbowman1@saisd.net for more information.

STEM Owls in the News

In July 2018, 21 students completed a paid internship with Jungle Disk, a top cyber security company in San Antonio. We are honored to host this internship at Highlands High School and are proud of the students who stepped up for this opportunity! Check out the news coverage below.

Corporate-school partnership makes room for interns: San Antonio Business Journal

News Video Clip: News Channel 4 WOAI

News Video Clip: KDVA Telemundo (en Español)

Jungle Disk, San Antonio ISD launch cybersecurity high school internship program: San Antonio Business Journal Article

Students land cybersecurity, marketing gigs: San Antonio Express News Article

Summer internships narrow the opportunity gap: Bekah McNeel

Get involved! Join one of our clubs...

FIRST Robotics Club:

Funded by our $10,000 3M Grant, we will participate in the FIRST Robotics First Tech Challenge this year! Club meets every Tuesday, 4:30pm-6:00pm, room 2638.

https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/ftc

Cyber Patriot Club:

In partnership with JROTC, come learn Cyber Security techniques and compete in the national Cyber Patriot program. Club meets every Tuesday, 4:30pm-6:00pm, room 2649.

https://www.uscyberpatriot.org/

ACE Mentor Club: Architecture, Construction, & Engineering

Create an account online using the link below and register for this year's ACE club. Club meets every other Thursday, 4:30pm-6:00pm, room 2640.

http://www.acementor.org/index.php/affiliates/texas/san-antonio/about-us/

Have you heard of Cafe College?

This is the BEST San Antonio resource for all things college. Visit the website to learn more about their services, events, and more: https://cafecollege.org/

Interested in attending the Engineering Institute?

Apply now for a spot in our 9th grade class for the 2019-2020 school year! Apply online at https://saisdchoice.com/ by February 8. Offer notifications will be sent out via e-mail/text the week of February 18.

Learn more about careers in...

ENGINEERING: http://discovere.org/discover-engineering

COMPUTER SCIENCE: https://www.computerscience.org/careers/

CYBER SECURITY: https://www.cyberseek.org/

STEM College & Career Information

It's never too early to research your future in STEM!

College & Career

Click HERE for the STEM College & Career Guide

Internships & Summer Camps

One of the BEST ways to get experience in STEM is through an internship or summer camp. Many application deadlines are in early March so check out the guide and get started on your application soon!

Click HERE for the Summer Opportunities Guide

Scholarships

Click HERE for the STEM Scholarship Guide

STEMCourses2019-2020.pdf

Download file

Engineering

Year 1 – Principles of Engineering (1 credit)

This course provides an overview of the various fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and their interrelationships. Students will develop engineering communication skills, which include computer graphics, modeling, and presentations, by using a variety of computer hardware and software applications to complete assignments and projects.

Software focus: Intro to Autodesk AutoCAD

Year 2 – Robotics (1 credit)

Students will design, build, and operate VEX robots as they transfer academic skills to component designs in a project-based environment through implementation of the design process. Students will build prototypes or use simulation software to test their designs.

Software focus: Autodesk Revit

Year 3 – Engineering Design 1 (1 credit)

Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills of the design process as it applies to engineering fields using multiple software applications and tools necessary to produce and present working drawings, solid model renderings, and prototypes.

Software focus: Autodesk AutoCAD

Year 4 – Engineering Design 2 (2 credits)

As a continuation of Engineering Design 1, students enrolled in this course will demonstrate knowledge and skills of the design process as it applies to engineering fields using multiple software applications and tools necessary to produce and present working drawings, solid model renderings, and prototypes.

Software focus: SolidWorks / Certification: SolidWorks

Year 4 - Project Based Learning (1 credit) - For students who cannot fit the Engineering Design 2 course into their schedule. Can also be taken in addition to Eng. Des. 2. *See Ms. Garcia for more information

Year 4 - Practicum in STEM (2 credits) - ONLY for students who are approved for internship placement. *See Ms. Garcia for more information

Computer Science - IT/Networking and Programming

Year 1 – Principles of IT (1 credit)

In this course students will develop computer literacy skills to adapt to emerging technologies used in the global marketplace. Students will enhance reading, writing, computing, communication, and reasoning skills and apply them to the information technology environment.

Certification: CompTIA Fundamentals of IT

Year 2 – OnRamps Dual Enrollment Computer Science Principles (1 credit)

Thriving in Our Digital World is a new dual enrollment course through the University of Texas at Austin that teaches computer science principles, a set of core ideas that shapes the landscape of computer science and its impact on our society. In addition to learning about the magic and beauty of computing, students will acquire essential Texas College and Career Readiness skills, applying critical thinking, problem solving, and communication within a project-based learning framework.

Computer Science College Credits (UT Austin CS 302)*

Year 2 – Computer Maintenance (1 credit)

In Computer Maintenance, students will acquire knowledge of computer maintenance and creating appropriate documentation. Students will apply technical skills to address the IT industry and emerging technologies.

Year 3 – AP Computer Science A - TEALS Partnership (1 credit)

AP Computer Science A is equivalent to a first-semester, college-level course in computer science for CS majors. The course introduces students to computer science using the industry-standard Java programming language and presents fundamental topics that include problem solving. AP CS A has been described as one of the most challenging and rewarding courses offered at the AP level.

Virtual Co-Teach Model with Industry Professionals in the Classroom

Computer Science College Credits*

Year 3 – Computer Networking (1 credit)

In this course students will develop knowledge of the concepts and skills related to data networking technologies and practices to apply them to personal or career development. A focus on cybersecurity principles will prepare students for high wage, in demand careers in San Antonio and beyond.

Year 4 – Practicum in IT (2 credits)

This course is designed to give students supervised practical application of previously studied knowledge and skills. Practicum experiences can occur in a variety of locations appropriate to the nature and level of experience.

Certification: CompTIA A+

Elective (Years 2-4) – Principles of Cyber Security (1 credit)

In this course students will learn about one of the fastest growing fields in the world: cyber security. San Antonio is the #2 city in the US for this high-demand, high-wage career field. Students will also be eligible to participate in the Cyber Patriot competition team through their participation in this course.

(*) College credits awarded depend on student course grades and/or AP exam scores. The exact course and credits awarded vary by university transfer policies.

Additional Recommended Courses

Pre-AP and AP Subject Courses (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Spanish)
OnRamps Dual Enrollment UT Austin Courses (Geoscience, Physics, College Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Statistics)
Dual Credit Courses (Business Information Management I-II, Calculus)
AVID I-IV
JROTC

Our History

Highlands High School has offered a Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) Magnet Program since 1989. The majority of students who have been in the program have advanced to university programs with a similar emphasis. We are proud of the past accomplishments of our former and current Magnet students and are excited to continue our legacy as the Engineering Institute.

Our Mission & Vision

Today’s Magnet Program prepares students for a post-secondary education or training experience, including study at two- and four-year institutions leading to a post-secondary credential (i.e., a certificate, license, Associates or Bachelor’s degree). Our goal is to offer a unique, comprehensive college preparatory program emphasizing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related fields. Specifically, we have narrowed the focus of the magnet to the fields of engineering and computer science, including programming and networking.

The Engineering Institute at Highlands High School aims to inspire and prepare scholars in Engineering and Computer Science by providing enhanced curriculum, extra-curricular opportunities, and individualized support for college and career success in high-demand STEM fields.

Why Should You Choose to Attend the Engineering Institute?

The Engineering Institute focuses on career skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as well as their application to Engineering and Computer Science. Your math and science knowledge will be used daily as you work in teams to take part in creative projects designed to challenge and teach you necessary problem solving skills. Learn through hands-on projects such as building architecture models, constructing robots, designing computers, writing and editing in various programming languages, and competing locally and nationally against other students.