Energy Conservation in Texas

Ms. James class hosts Mr. Hanson to learn about energy conservation. The other 5 5th grade classes were able to tune in and participate in the presentation through a Google+ On Air Hangout. The 5th grade is learning about energy conservation as part of their PBL project (Project Based Learning).

Joe McDermott and Students Make Music

Musician Joe McDermott worked with 5th grade to create and original song and video.

Students Win in Writing Contest

4th Grade Student, Andrew and Abhinu, won the Austin Family Magazine writing contest. Each student was awarded a Kindle e-reader device.

Skype to Alaska

Ms. Derrington's 3rd grade class connects with Steve Wolf and son in Alaska. Steve Wolf is the owner of Stunt Ranch in Austin. Our 3rd graders visited Stunt Ranch to learn science through stunts and special FX.

Glogs From TAG

TAG students create interactive glogs to promote the annual TAG Luncheon. 

Click here to view the glog.

Cactus Ranch Teacher Participates in Nasa Ladee Launch

Stacy Vernon, a teacher and fan of NASA,  registered and was selected to attend a Nasa Social Event for the launch of the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) on September 5th and 6th. She found out she was selected as one of only 50 participants from across the US. Selected participants were taken on exclusive tours of the Nasa Wallops Flight Facility, attended press conferences, and enjoyed taking part in a special introductory briefing broadcast live on Nasa's Educational Channel. Speakers including astronaut John M. Grunsfeld, Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, and Charles Bolden, current administrator of NASA and former NASA astronaut, who visited with the Nasa Social Participants repeatedly and spoke of his appreciation for teachers and the importance of teachers sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for space exploration and science with their students. The Nasa Social group attended a "front row" special rocket launch viewing site for this exciting launch which was a first in many ways. The LADEE mission is the 

*first spacecraft launched into deep space from the NASA Wallops Facility

*first moon launch from Virginia

*first payload to launch on a U.S. Air Force Minataur V rocket integrated by Orbital Sci. Corp.

Currently, Stacy is a kindergarten teacher at Cactus Ranch Elementary. She follows Nasa and many astronauts on Twitter and is active in Social Media. You can follow her on Twitter as @StacyVernon.  She is excited to bring back a variety of space science activities to her students.

Tech Music

Cactus Ranch students grades 3-5 discover music sequencing and looping by creating a composition with Quavermusic.com. Click on the link below to hear a sample.

4th Grade JSRS