Cultivating Creative Thinkers in STEM

March 22, 2024

Part of ESD’s intentionality in driving student exploration is the conditions created for students to be curious, collaborate, and think dynamically. ESD has made significant progress aligning and supporting students’ acquisition of design thinking, computer science, and engineering in Pre-K through twelfth grade. As a result of enhanced programming and curriculum design, along with exceptional instruction, our students have been able to pursue their passions and interests in STEM to create notable projects and achieve their dreams. As these young leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and change-makers continue on this path, our community celebrates the exceptional skills and grit they have demonstrated at ESD and beyond.

Slaton Strey '24

Slaton Strey has aspired to be an engineer since he was young, and thanks to ESD’s capstone class, he had an opportunity to get a raw, authentic look at how research and design operate on larger, realistic scales. As a result, he challenged himself to create something beyond his limits and push toward loftier goals. Throughout his project, Slaton designed a water-cooling mechanism that theoretically reduces solar panel temperatures during operation, aiding maximum electric generation. As he continues solar research, he hopes to attack the root of the heat and inefficiency problems by analyzing incident light wavelengths and modifying the light reaching the panel surface.“I see the world as something to constantly improve. STEM courses provide a conceptual approach to questioning and challenging it and supply the equipment needed to fabricate the tools to answer those questions. In Engineering, I am challenging myself with dedicated year-long research of photovoltaic mechanisms, building my way up toward attempts to improve their efficiency. I am currently prototyping an active cooling mechanism for solar panels, but I look to the future for a passive mechanism and internal improvements.”

“I see the world as something to constantly improve. STEM courses provide a conceptual approach to questioning and challenging it and supply the equipment needed to fabricate the tools to answer those questions. In Engineering, I am challenging myself with dedicated year-long research of photovoltaic mechanisms, building my way up toward attempts to improve their efficiency. I am currently prototyping an active cooling mechanism for solar panels, but I look to the future for a passive mechanism and internal improvements.” - Slaton Strey

Jess Coit '25

As a girl in STEM, Jess Coit seized opportunities provided by ESD to inspire young minds by creating and implementing a robotics and programming activity for the All-Girls-All-The-Time ESD summer camp. Additionally, she organized STEM presentations for local students at Foster Elementary and Walnut Hill, conducted a middle school chapel talk on robotics and integrity, and excelled in her AP exams. Leveraged by her unique experiences at ESD, Jess continues to pass the torch on to younger generations to cultivate their passions.

“The ESD computer science and engineering programs have completely transformed my passions and identity. Before taking Dr. Lena’s Principles of Engineering with Programming (PEP) class, I could never have imagined myself involved with computer science or robotics. However, my determination combined with Dr. Lena’s unconditional support have allowed me to thrive in all aspects of computer science and robotics.” - Jess Coit

Barrow Solomon '24

Barrow Solomon has demonstrated exemplary work in STEM by using his computer science knowledge and skills to leverage opportunities with arbitrage and create a thriving business, meeting both tax and legal obligations. Despite having one of the most challenging course loads at ESD, Barrow successfully scaled his process and earned three-quarters of a million dollars in revenue with a 25% margin.

“I love math and science because, in those classes, I get to explore and understand how the world works. Last week in computer science, I made and published my own app on the App Store. This never would have been possible without a great computer science teacher, Dr. Lena, who always pushes me to challenge myself. I am so grateful for ESD because the math and science departments allowed me to skip ahead to AP Biology and AP Computer Science Freshman year and take Pre-Calculus instead of Algebra II Sophomore year. My favorite class this year is Multivariable Calculus because it is taught by a great teacher, Mr. Northrup, who has successfully taught the school’s most complicated and challenging course to every student in the class.” - Barrow Solomon

Ava Loftus '24

Ava Loftus is making her mark in 2024, being the only girl in her class to advance to Post-AP Multivariable Calculus and Post-AP Computer Science. One of Ava’s recent projects entails working alongside her teammates to create a modified version of Conway’s Game of Life in Java to learn about inheritance. Conway’s is a simulation that evolves based on the initial state of the cells, following specific rules. The modifications to the original game, however, included adding numerous types of cells with different special properties. Ava implemented four unique types of cells: None Cell, Cancer Cell, Cure Cell, and Conway Cell, which can create numerous patterns that enhance Conway’s in every playthrough.

“I have always been passionate about all things mathematical, and I am proud of my performance in each STEM class. This year alone, I am involved in Post-AP Computer Science, Post-AP Multivariate Calculus, AP Statistics, and AP Physics II. I love these subjects, as I feel the contents of each one are directly applicable to the real world and can legitimately be used to advance society. One of my favorite projects recently was participating in the AP Physics II boat race. Although I am more passionate about computer science than physics, this project stood out because it is an entirely unique ESD experience. No other DFW school can say they offer this activity, but most students still cannot accurately describe the hours that go into preparation. This project required a significant amount of time, from the boat race to the lab report following it. That said, watching our boat float across the quarry made every second worth it. I am grateful for the ESD STEM program because I know the experiences and opportunities it provides enhance my education in the most intriguing and fun ways possible.” - Ava Loftus

Alex Ramirez '24

As a sophomore, Alex Ramirez took a unique approach to STEM, facing numerous projects head-on while tackling intensive subject matter like Mean-Variance Optimization. Now embarking upon graduation, one of Alex’s most recent projects implemented a machine learning model for facial recognition that detects and identifies faces from a live video feed and records known and unidentified faces to enhance the security and efficiency of ESD’s event check-in process. Not to mention, he managed to rebuild this entire project in one afternoon.

“I never saw myself as creative; computer science allows me to cultivate my latent creativity.” - Alex Ramirez

Ellison Mattocks '24 and Dalyan Prieto-Akmansoy '24

Ellison Mattocks and Dalyan Prieto-Akmansoy are working on their capstone project in Advanced Engineering Capstone class. Their project is to create a backpack that can be used on long hikes in the wilderness and powers a GPS system and can charge phones, tablets and computers through the use of a solar battery brick. Their design is to utilize a foldable solar panel that charges the brick during the day and then can charge electronics at night.

“Over the past three years, I’ve loved being a part of ESD’s developing engineering program, one which places a major importance on opening STEM education to more young women. With guidance from Mr. Snook and the opportunity to partake in such a collaborative workspace, my passions for the field of engineering have grown immensely. This program, like the engineering field, is a broad and multilayered experience. I know that the diverse realms of engineering that I’ve learned while at ESD will help propel my future career and college pursuits.” - Ellison Mattocks

“Taking engineering at ESD has opened up opportunities for me to pursue my interest in engineering and develop a foundational understanding about the engineering process and problem-solving thinking skills that are required. I particularly like how we have options of what type of engineering we’d like to focus on for a semester because it allows us to explore different areas to find which one we enjoy the most and want to pursue in the future. I also think the exposure to online programs, like Onshape and Revit, is extremely important because programs like these are used in college and, now, we have a jump start on it.” - Dalyan Prieto-Akmansoy

Harrison Adams '26

Harrison Adams is currently involved in Large Language Model research that focuses on mathematical word problems with the AI research platform Algoverse, wherein high school and college students conduct novel AI research under the virtual tutelage of world-class graduate researchers. Harrison is also one of 459 students worldwide to obtain a perfect AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) exam score, and he often mentors his peers in AP Computer Science to help them improve their exam scores.

“I really appreciate the ability to have fast-tracked to AP Chemistry this year and AP CSP last year. Having a lab for robotics is something I enjoy very much; otherwise, I wouldn’t be spending every day here. We have great teachers, like Dr. Lena and formerly Mr. Augé, who take the time to work with us and expand our understanding past the expected. With more funding, we really could grow!” - Harrison Adams

Vivian Chen '25

Earning the title of Chief Operating Officer of the Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology (BEST) Robotics Club, Vivian Chen has taken strides to enrich the program and achieve the best possible outcomes. From developing technical sketches for the robotics notebook and co-organizing Foster Elementary’s BEST Robotics presentation to organizing and co-writing a fundraising letter for ESD Robotics Club that successfully raised $5,000-plus, Vivian’s passion is not only propelling her own future but also that of young students and ESD as a whole.

“Before joining ESD’s Robotics Club in my freshman year, I was terrified of computer science and engineering. However, joining the Robotics Club and enrolling in Dr. Lena’s HPEP class were among my best decisions. ESD’s Robotics Club and Dr. Lena have taught me so much more than just what’s in the curriculum. In the past three years that I’ve been a club member, I’ve learned SketchUp, OnShape, coding, and tool use. During this time, I have used all the knowledge from my math, science, and art classes to help our club grow and win competitions. I’m extremely grateful for the programs and classes that ESD offers for me to discover new interests and pathways in my life that might eventually develop into my future.” - Vivian Chen

Computer Science & Engineering Highlights

LOWER SCHOOL

Hired a full-time Design Lab coordinator
Extended the Content Area Specialist Teachers (CAST) science and design block to EC
Established an eight-day Design Lab rotation
Created the “book and learn” model for EC through fourth grade, which ties making and meaning to media
Implemented the three “buckets” of design – coding, circuitry, and low-tech
Introduced the design thinking paradigm – empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test
Challenged students to build risk tolerance
Aligned Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for engineering

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Curriculum aligned to AP Computer Science Principals standards
Coding in multiple languages from Block to Python
Integrated design, including 3D printing and modeling
BEST Lego League upper school mentorship
Intentional partnership and course alignment between LS and MS faculty
STEM guest speakers included David Hanson, CEO and founder of Hanson Robotics and creator of the first humanoid robot, Sophia

Building on Success

At ESD, we take pride in cultivating excellence by tapping into the interests of our youngest minds. Through our curriculum and involvement, students are equipped with the skills to discover and pursue their passion for STEM and use it creatively to achieve what’s most important to them. By introducing a vast array of real-world concepts, interdisciplinary subject matter, and the application thereof in Early Childhood, students develop a foundation of knowledge that they can use as a launching pad into the subsequent division of their education. As we continue to build upon our success as a community, we look to what we have achieved together – fostering Lives of Purpose from Beginners to beyond ESD.