Submitted by Julian Spearman, Student Activities Department coordinator
Students across the district took top awards at Texas Math & Science Coaches Association State tournaments held in San Antonio, Texas earlier this semester.
Dallas ISD sent 465 students from 23 campuses to the TMSCA state contest, where they competed in categories like Number Sense, Mathematics, Calculator Applications, and Science.
Teams are awarded individual trophies for placing first through sixth place in any of the four events in each grade level.
At the high school level, the School of Science and Engineering at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center received 32 individual trophies with first place teams for Number Sense, Calculator, and Science. Additionally, another team from the school placed second in the calculator competition. One of the top performing coaches at the middle school level, Gabrielle Herrera from Sudie L. Williams Talented and Gifted Academy, said she teaches her students to contribute to the team goal.
“Although students compete individually, we treat it as a team sport,” Herrera said. “Everyone, from our highest scorers to the kids just starting out, contributes to the team goal.”
Herrera acknowledged the support from the district helps prepare students for the state meet, which is designed to promote math and science through competition.
“We appreciate the TMSCA support that Student Activities gives Dallas ISD students,” she said. “At the state competition, schools from around Texas come with a lot less support. Student Activities made it possible for our students to attend out-of-county preliminary events that prepare them for state.”
TMSCA is a STEM program sponsored by the department, not only to prepare students for UIL academic competitions, but also to help teachers by supplementing classroom learning.“Participation in TMSCA cultivates a passion for math and science, improves problem-solving and critical thinking skills; and boosts self-esteem through competition,” Herrera said.
High School TMSCA Results
Overall Sweepstakes Awards
- SEM – First Place
- TAG MAG – Third Place
- Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet – 12th Place
- Dr. Wright L. Lassister Jr. Early College High School at El Centro College – 13th Place
- North Dallas High School – 14th Place
Team Competitions
- Number Sense, First Place – SEM
- Math, First Place – SEM
- Science, First Place – SEM
- Calculator, Second Place – SEM
- Number Sense, Third Place – TAG MAG
- Science, Fourth Place – TAG MAG
- Calculator, Seventh Place – TAG MAG
- Calculator, Ninth Place – Sanders Law MAG
- Science, Ninth Place – North Dallas
- Science, 10th Place – Lassiter ECHS
Middle School TMSCA Results
Overall Sweepstakes Awards
- J.L. Long Middle School – Seventh Place
- Alex W. Spence Preparatory & TAG Academy – 10th Place
- Williams TAG – 12th Place
- William B. Travis Academy/Vanguard for the Academically Talented and Gifted – 13th Place
- George Bannerman Dealey Montessori Academy – 14th Place
Team Competitions
- Calculator, Second Place – Spence
- Number Sense, Fifth Place – Long
- Science, Third Place – Williams TAG
- Math, Seventh Place – Long
- Math, Eighth Place – Judge Louis A.Bedford Jr. Law Academy
- Science, Eighth Place – Dealey
- Science, Eighth Place – Long
- Number Sense, Ninth Place – Dealey
- Calculator, Tenth Place – Travis TAG
