Extraordinary Education: October 2013

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Mock Trial Team–Looking for members!

The 2013-14 Extraordinary Education Mock Trial is seeking energetic and inquisitive high school students for this year’s team. This is a fun way to learn more about our legal system while also learning about logic, problem-solving and public speaking. It also looks great on a resume!

No prior mock trial, debate or public speaking experience is necessary.

The team will have its first team meeting on Thursday, November 14th, at EE from 5 to 9.

There will also be a Team Building Workshop on Friday-Saturday, November 15th-16th. This will be a key time for the team to dissect this year's case and get a jump-start on planning this year's strategies.

New members and those interested in finding out more about the team are encouraged to attend both events!

Contact Mrs. Ball today to learn how YOU can get involved in Mock Trial!

Please refer to the Team Info document for the new and improved co-op structure and sign up information. This team is not set up as a “class”. This is a “co-op” activity meaning that costs are minimal and each family is asked to help out with team activities, supervision, etc. Participants only pay for their portion of contest entry fees, team materials and copies, etc.

Please let the sponsor, Maureen Ball, know if you interested in joining this year's Mock Trial Team as we explore Internet Defamation. Mrs. Ball's contact information is included below.

From the Texas High School Mock Trial Association website:
Thousands of high school students from across the state participate each year in this highly motivating, energetic, and challenging academic competition! The program provides a great way for students to gain an “insider’s view” of our judicial system, plus, they gain confidence speaking in front of others and have a lot of fun at the same time. The competition is open to all high school students - public, private and homeschool. Former participants say that the benefits of preparation and participation in the mock trial program are well worth the time and effort spent.

Looking forward to working this year's team!

Maureen Ball

Attorney At Law

Collaborative Family Law & General Practice

Ph. 713-231-6175

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Mock Trial Team–Intro Meeting Thurs 11/14

The 2014 Mock Trial Case has been posted and now the preparation begins! Please help spread the word that a new team is forming. We hope to carry on the award-winning tradition of the EE team. The team has competed at State for the past two years.

We will have a parent-student meeting on Thursday, November 14th at EE from 5-6 to discuss the 2014 Mock Trial Team formation.You are encouraged to share this email with others that might be interested.

Please see the Team Info document for the new and improved co-op structure and sign up information. Please let me know if you interested in joining this year's Mock Trial Team as we explore Internet Defamation. We hope to see you at the meeting tomorrow or hear from you soon if you can’t make the first meeting.

From the Texas High School Mock Trial Association website:
Thousands of high school students from across the state participate each year in this highly motivating, energetic, and challenging academic competition! The program provides a great way for students to gain an “insider’s view” of our judicial system, plus, they gain confidence speaking in front of others and have a lot of fun at the same time. The competition is open to all high school students - public, private and homeschool. Former participants say that the benefits of preparation and participation in the mock trial program are well worth the time and effort spent.

Looking forward to working this year's team!
Maureen Ball Attorney At Law Collaborative Family Law & General Practice
Ph. 713-231-6175

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Robotics Team Gearing Up for Regionals

Congratulations to all of the hard working youth, parents and coaches of our extraordinary BEST Robotics team for winning three different awards at the North Houston BEST Hub Competition. The contest took place on Saturday, October 19, at The Woodlands College Park High School with a total of 15 teams competing.

The EE team, competing as The Woodlands Homeschoolers, won the Founders Award for creative design for our Team Robot, the 3rd Place Award for Robot Performance, and the 1st Place BEST Award for best overall team performance. We were close to winning 1st in Robot Performance; we were shy by just two small dowels (NAND gates). This is a terrific performance for our team - the best performance in many years.

The Founders Award recognizes our Technology Team's creative use of gears in our team robot. Indeed, no other team utilized gears to the level of sophistication as we. Great work Technology Team!

The youth showed respect, wholesomeness and enthusiasm in projecting Spirit and Sportsmanship during the competition. Several youth demonstrated remarkable energy in leading spirit activities, such as running as a group around the course holding our team sign throughout the day. The Notebook, Display and Presentation Teams also did well. The Presentation Team earned 249 out of 250 possible points and achieved this after only three full-team rehearsals.

The team now moves on to the Texas BEST Regional Robotics Championship hosted by UT Dallas on November 8-9, 2013. Please be sure to congratulate our BEST Robotics team members when you see them this week!