TPSP Challenge News

The Class of 2012 successfully rolled out the first year of the Texas Performance Standards Projects (TPSP).

Challenged to impact the community after extensive research, Carnegie's juniors have closed the year with an impressive array of projects. The results before the judges proved to exceed all expectations for the class as 100% passed of the 98% participating; moreover, 26% of the juniors scored 4 or higher for their designs. T.E.A.'s rubric provided a possible 0-5 scale as each student presented his research paper, research website, and a product designed to positively impact the community.

The diversity of the projects reflected a winning quality for the program. For instance, working alongside research scientists and their students in a laboratory at Rice University, Christian Abad explored the production of graphene and its many uses. Graphene is a semi-conducting material that transmits electrons better than silicon and ITO (indium tin oxide, the material used in touch screens and solar energy). Set as a new standard, graphene will ultimately lessen the electric bill for the consumer. New advancements in theory continue to be levied in the future of warfare, as the landscape of the battlefield is transfigured by robotics.
Hakeem Henson explored the present practice and the future of using robots as a life-saving science. Demonstrating the dexterity in his own robotic design, Hakeem presented a new robot for his TPSP that picked up a box of Kleenex and delivered a tissue to each onlooker. Patient care and ethics were topics behind projects lead by Lyric Smith who participated in the legislative process of passing new law that served to protect Texans from dental malpractice. Patient care continued to be core to Maria Hernandez' study on the possible negative impact that long term use of antipsychotics can have on the structures of the brain. Hunter Glisson-Warner explored the benefits for patient convalescence through animal therapy. As part of her project, Hunter took her own dog, Socks, through the official therapy dog certification process.

A DVD of several Carnegie TPSP projects will be played at the May 5th HISD Board Meeting and on May 12th Board Meeting HISD these same students will be presenting their projects in person.