Six teams from seven different Milpitas Unified School District schools earned awards at this year’s 38th Annual Tech Challenge Final Showcase, which took place May 3-4 in San Jose. More than 600 teams of 4th-12th grade students put their creative solutions and engineering journals to the test in front of judges. MUSD Tech Challenge winners were:
This year's challenge, coined “Gravitate to Navigate,” was to build a gravity-powered vehicle that could traverse multiple tracks of increasing difficulty. Each team was required to build a single gravity powered device to complete four successful runs while carrying a tennis ball payload.Teams were judged in equal parts on the performance of their device, the quality of their engineering journal, and an interview with judges. “This weekend was a celebration of innovation, resilience, and teamwork,” said Abby Longcor, Senior Director of The Tech Challenge in a press release. “Every team showed us that with creativity and determination, young people can tackle even the most complex challenges. Our hope is that The Tech Challenge gives participants the confidence, skills, and passion to pursue future studies or careers in science, engineering, and beyond.”
With 30 students signed up and actively participating, the Zanker Elementary School GirlStart program flourished during the 2024-25 school year. Girlstart’s mission is to empower girls to explore science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through fun, hands-on learning experiences. The program engages students in nationally recognized informal STEM education activities designed to spark interest, deepen understanding, and build confidence. Throughout the program, two GirlStart leaders cultivated a culture where risk is rewarded, curiosity is encouraged, and creativity is expected. Some of the STEM careers the girls explored during their time in GirlStart, along with the hands-on activities that brought them to life:
"We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm, creativity, and critical thinking our girls demonstrated throughout the GirlStart program," said Zanker's GirlStart advisor Jennifer Hinojosa. "Their engagement is a strong indicator of the growing interest in STEM among young girls (which is all we ask for!). We are excited to see how this momentum continues to build in the years to come. With such a strong foundation and continued support, the future of the program, and the future of these aspiring engineers and scientists, is bright."  By Mia Gittlen
MHS Librarian The Milpitas HS Library recently hosted two special author events which helped promote a culture of literacy and elevate reading, researching, writing, creating, and storytelling. Nicole Steward, our very own MUSD Social Worker, shared an overview of her new book, Radical Self-Care. This after school event, which was attended by MHS and MUSD staff, School Board Members, and parents, was well-received. Her message about how and why to cultivate radical self-care resonates deeply. As a result of the overwhelming interest in her book, we are offering her book as this year’s MUSD summer read. All MUSD staff are invited to read Nicole’s book, engage in our Radical Self-Care Google Classroom online discussion (join code: bbiujofl), and/or attend a session led by Nicole at the beginning of the school year. This is all optional and any participating staff may choose the level of involvement they are comfortable with. Thien Pham, an award-winning graphic novelist who grew up in Milpitas, also visited MHS last month. His graphic novel memoir Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam is popular among both students and staff. Thien’s visit included speaking to hundreds of students during an assembly held in the Theater, meeting dozens of students and staff during a luncheon co-hosted by the MHS Book Club and our Vietnamese Student Association (VSA), and leading an interactive comics workshop in the Library. Dozens of students and staff obtained signed copies of his book. All who interacted with Thien appreciated hearing his inspirational story. These activities are just two of the many programs initiated in the MHS Library this year. Next up: the MHS Library is launching a Summer Reading BINGO challenge which will run from June 1st - September 1st. All students, staff, and their families are encouraged to participate and enjoy fun reading in the sun this summer! As always, please check out everything available at the MHS Library–which is also home to our College and Careet Center! We are open weekdays from 7:45 AM - 4:45 PM. Become a Friend of the MHS Library. Follow us on Instagram. Reach out to the Librarian Mia Gittlen at [email protected] with any questions or ideas!  In honor of AAPI Awareness month this May, the APIDA Community (est. 2024-2025) is proud to launch our website (https://sites.google.com/musd.org/aplus/home) designed to celebrate and empower the diverse identities, cultures, and histories of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi Americans through education, advocacy, and community-building.
We are developing programs that will amplify voices and promote understanding while fostering personal, academic, and professional growth. For aspiring Asian American educators interested in an admin or manager role, our year-long APIDA Mentorship Program will pair emerging leaders with experienced principals and administrators, providing guidance, professional development, and networking to support advancement into educational leadership roles. Additionally, high school students passionate about teaching can join our APIDA Education Mentorship Program, which will offer mentorship, potential scholarships, hands-on learning, and networking opportunities to explore careers in education. Coming soon, our Resources section, focusing on education and advocacy, will feature blogs and articles on cultural awareness, social justice, and community news, along with webinars, workshops, and anti-racism resources designed to promote inclusivity and empower our community. In the coming year, we will also actively seek partnerships with local APIDA businesses, restaurants, and organizations to strengthen community ties and create collaborative opportunities that uplift and support our vibrant APIDA community right here in Milpitas! |
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING:
The governing board of Milpitas Unified School District will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Media ResourcesArchives
June 2025
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