At Dr. Elba and Domingo Garcia West Dallas STEM School, learning is about empowering students to understand the world around them and confidently take part in it. “I love how much support I have. The teachers are always here to support me and teach me about things that will happen in life, and find solutions,” said Isabel G.  A fourth grader, Isabel and her classmates recently put those skills into action during a lesson on wind energy. Led by STEM coordinator Ashley Lozano, students explored how wind turbines work before designing and building their own miniature wind turbines.  At the…

The rhythmic sounds of hands clapping and feet stomping echo through the hallways of D.A. Hulcy STEAM Middle School as step team students practice routines.  “I joined the step team because I grew up around a lot of Black Greek life,” said Alaiyah D., whose exposure to sororities and fraternities sparked her interest. For D’Moni, it was the artistry that caught his attention. “I love watching all the cool movements and the facials,” he said. “They just looked so interesting.” Step dancing, commonly known as stepping, is more than an artistic expression. Its roots trace back to African traditions and…

When six new students first walked through the doors of Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, they couldn’t have known the path would lead them to some of the nation’s most selective colleges. Students Keyri B., Sofia D., Aida F., Princess T., Cecilia S., and Marisol M. turned seven years of hard work, perseverance, and mentorship into full-ride scholarships at their dream schools. Each senior, a first-generation college student, earned a full four-year scholarship through QuestBridge, a highly competitive national program that connects high-achieving students with top universities. They will attend Wellesley College, Boston College, Washington University in St.…