Dr. Andrew Lettes Awarded

Congratulations goes to Dr. Andrew Lettes, biotechnology teacher at Pueblo, for being awarded the Arizona Innovation Heroes Award by the Science Foundation Arizona.

The award recognizes those who are leading in the fields of innovation, technology and entrepreneurship or have instituted innovative practices or curricula to advance student success and enhance student interest in STEM. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education)

Dr. Lettes with Pueblo CTE Department

Students, colleagues and distinguished guests joined us for the celebration and had very positive statements about our biotechnology program.

On behalf of all the Pueblo Family, we congratulate Dr. Lettes.

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Dr. Lettes Goes To Biotechnology Institute

Dr. Lettes attended the Biotechnology Institute in Chicago over the weekend. He presented to 100 biotechnology teachers from the United States, and 100 science teachers from the Chicago area.

Dr. Lettes presenting at Biotechnology Institute

The title of his presentation was Biotechnology, A Mission In South Tucson. He was delighted to speak about our students who have enrolled in the Biotechnology Program.

Thanks for sharing the pictures of your trip Dr. Lettes.

HOSA Biotechnology Conference 2010

HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) Biotechnology students participated in the HOSA Spring Leadership Conference at the Doubletree Hotel from April 14 to 16.

Our students were great these past two days. They were polite, articulate, and full of Pueblo Pride.

Pueblo Biotechnology Students

Carlos Ramirez was elected Secondary Vice President of HOSA for the Southern region of Arizona. We have a state officer. This position required a speech and question and answer period. He ran successfully against the current HOSA HIstorian from Sunnyside. Carlos was wonderful.

Nine students attended the State Leadership Conference. Most had to be in the top 20 in the state after an online test in February.

Biotechnology Story
In Biotechnology, 95 students took the online test. Michael Dedrick was 5th, and Tricia Hindley was 9th. On Thursday both participated in the skills competitions. The two skills were microscopy and culturing bacteria. Today the final results were announced.

In the Arizona State HOSA Biotechnology competition, Michael placed second, and earned a trip to Nationals (Orlando), and Tricia placed 5th.

In the following competitions, students worked almost exclusively on their own, since these subjects were not explicitly covered in the biotech curriculum:

Jeffery/Brian Bishop- Medical Math
Cynthia Lona- Human Growth and Development
Hector Mendoza- Prepared Persuasive Speech
Carlos Ramirez- Epidemiology
Patrick Swindell, Gilberto Valenzuela, and Christian Vasquez- Creative Problem Solving Team

Students earned 4 medals:
Gold: Carlos Ramirez
Silver: Jeffery/Brian Bishop
Silver: Michael Dedrick
Silver: Hector Mendoza

They all qualify for Nationals.

Biotech Students Learn Sterile Technique

Sam Gomez of the Tucson Medical Center stopped by Pueblo to provide some hands on training on sterile technique to some of our Biotechnology students.

In sterile technique, only sterile surfaces touch other sterile surfaces and exposure to the air is kept to a minimum.

Sterile Technique Training
Tricia & Michael practice how to put gloves on practicing sterile technique

Tricia Hindley and Michael Dedrick need to learn this technique for their upcoming Biotechnology competition for HOSA. We’ll keep you updated on how they do.

We are so appreciative of Mr. Gomez’s expertise and commitment to our students.

Biotechnology Student Practicing Sterile Technique

(Via Andrew Lettes)

Warriors Partcipate In U Of A Jr. Scientist Day

Twenty three Pueblo students from 4 CTE programs –Bio Tech, Warrior Media, Early Childhood Professions, and Education Professions– participated in the U of A Jr. Scientist Day on Nov. 7.

Our Robotics program demonstrated their robots and different circuit boards. Brian Ortega and Stephanie of Warrior Media served as the MC’s for the event.

UA Jr Scientist Warrior Crew

UA Jr Scientist Future Teachers

UA Jr Scientist Brian Ortega

UA Jr Scientist Robotics

Dr. Lettes, Mr. Lathrop, Mrs. Hardin & Mrs. Stull all  participated in the event.