Pueblo Magnet High School

Dr. Andrew Lettes Wins National Biotechnology Award

// April 26th, 2012 // No Comments » // Academics, Biotechnology, Conferences, Recognition, Teacher Awards

Dr. Mayim Bialik & Dr. Andrew Lettes

Pueblo Magnet High School science teacher Dr. Andrew Lettes received the Ron Mardigian Memorial Biotechnology Explorer Award, as part of the National Science Teachers Association (NTSA) 2012 Teacher Awards Program.

Lettes has brought biotechnology into the classroom for over ten of his eighteen years as a teacher. When TUSD’s Career and Technical Education Program decided to offer a bioscience curriculum, Lettes was one of the first teachers onboard. At the time, he was teaching an AP Biology class but only six students were enrolled. He wanted to go beyond traditional topics to get more students engaged in science, particularly those students who might not see themselves as “scientists.”

“I noticed that the students who were enthusiastic about heart dissections were even more enthusiastic about DNA fingerprinting,” Lettes recalls. “Biotechnology jobs are on the rise in Tucson and I want to prepare my students for those jobs; so I developed a Biotechnology curriculum.”

The Biotechnology Explorer Award recognizes teachers who have made biotechnology learning accessible to students and Lettes’ curriculum has done just that. Pueblo serves a predominantly low-income Hispanic population – a population that is typically underrepresented in science, engineering, and technology fields.

“This program opens up doors to careers in science that students didn’t realize had been closed to them,” Lettes noted. “Students that were not interested in upper level science classes before are now lining up to take Biotechnology.”

There are currently 105 students enrolled in the program with 140 interested in enrolling next year.

Dr. Lettes’ former students have gone on to pursue degrees in neuroscience, molecular biology, and science education. Students who have gone on to pursue degrees in other areas have said that Lettes’ class provided them with a strong foundation for their college science course requirements, and for the overall expectation of college studies.

As the recipient of the Biotechnology Explorer Award, Lettes received a $250 monetary gift, a $500 certificate for Bio-Rad products for his classroom, and a trip to attend the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in Indianapolis last month. Interesting tidbit: While at the conference, Lettes had the opportunity, among other things, to meet and talk science with television actress Mayim Bialik of The Big Bang Theory, who holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience both on TV and in real life. Bialik and Lettes both received their doctorates from UCLA.

For more information on Career and Technical Education Programs offered in TUSD, visit the Career and Technical Education Program Web site.

Courtesy of TUSD1.org

Pueblo Biotech Featured On NSTA

// March 16th, 2012 // No Comments » // Academics, Biotechnology, Pueblo High School, Pueblo Pride, Recognition, School Awards, Teacher Awards

Pueblo’s Biotechnology Program was featured on National Science Teacher Association’s website.

Here’s the excerpt:

Another awardee also has introduced innovations to the classroom. Andrew Lettes, a science teacher at Pueblo Magnet High School in Tucson, Arizona, received the Ron Mardigian Memorial Biotechnology Explorer Award, sponsored by Bio-Rad Laboratories, and says he has “worked for over 10 years to bring biotechnology into the classroom.” He points out that “students must be engaged with relevant ‘hands-on’ curriculum, but the trick is to find the ‘hook’ for our student population…At Pueblo, I found the ‘hook,’ biotechnology.” He says his school’s biotechnology program “provides college preparation for our students, plus provides genuine work-based learning. Students work in science, not simply read about it during a career search on the internet.”

According to Lettes, biotechnology “not only attracts the already college-bound students, but also those who are interested in work experience. Students who have mastered the content and students who have mastered the technical skills are equally valued in my classroom. This fosters a cooperative atmosphere where all students try to do well. Truly biotechnology is the rising tide that lifts all boats.” His award also provides funding to attend NSTA’s national conference. When asked about his agenda in Indianapolis, he replies, “I plan on enjoying the workshops given by my peers. Classroom teachers have a wonderful insight on what works. I also would like to network with other educators.”

Congratulations Dr. Andrew Lettes!  You represent Pueblo with Pride!

Read entire article.

Coach Curly Santa Cruz Honored

// August 29th, 2011 // No Comments » // Athletics, Community Events, Exclusive, History, Pueblo High School, Teacher Awards, Winners

On August 25, coach Saturnino “Curly” Santa Cruz was honored at the inaugural 2011 Tucson Football Jamboree held at Tucson High.  After the 3rd Quarter of the Pueblo vs. Tucson match-up, Curly was presented with the High School Signature Coach Award.

Photo courtesy of studio520photography

The commemorative program stated the following:

A graduate of Pueblo class of 62′, Saturnino “Curly” Santa Cruz was an All-City running back and track standout and went on to play college football at Palo Verde College and Cal-Western University. He attained his Master’s degree from the University of Arizona, and he became an acclaimed educator in TUSD for forty years. “Curly” was a teacher, football and track coach and administrator.  He earned “Coach Of The Year” honors in 1988.

On behalf of the entire Pueblo community, we congratulate Curly and his family for this great honor.  Thank you for representing Pueblo!

Dr. Andrew Lettes Awarded

// September 21st, 2010 // No Comments » // Academics, Biotechnology, In The News, Teacher Awards

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.

More Photos:

Leave your comments below.

Winter Spirit Assembly 2010

// January 15th, 2010 // No Comments » // Entertainment, Ixora, Pueblo High School, Spirit Assembly, Student Awards, Teacher Awards

Warriors gathered at the Winter Spirit Assembly to recognize Basketball, Soccer & others. Mariachi Aztlan started things off by playing the National Anthem.

Student & Employees of the Month were also announced by Mrs. Dienz and representatives of State Farm. A big thank you to them for their generosity.

Seniors look on at the basketball challenge.

Performance highlights included Ixora, Warrior Drumline and Spirit Woman. The 2010 Senior class was once again victorious of the Spirit Stick. That’s two in a row for them.

All classes were wearing different colors to represent different causes. Donation quantities were announced and Seniors donated the most to Cancer Research. Everyone wins in this activity. Way to go Warriors!

Seniors: Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

Juniors: Yellow for Support The Troops

Sophomores: Baby Blue for Diabetes Awareness

Freshman: Orange for Leukemia Awareness

Sophomores in blue to support Leukemia Awareness

Visit our Facebook Page for more pictures:

Jennie Elrod On CNN

// September 11th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Academics, Entertainment, In The News, Teacher Awards

Our very own Jennie Elrod, math teacher at Pueblo, was featured on a CNN story. Here it is in case you missed it:

Jennie explains what it was all about:

My internship was with the integration team for the Standard Missile 6 development program at Raytheon. We did the final testing phases to collect data and evidence that the SM6 is ready for the “production phase” which means it can be put into mass production and sold to Raytheon customers. The SM6 is a defense missile that has some very innovative capabilities unlike any missile in production today! My role was to collect telemetry data from missile tests, assist in taking the data back to Tucson, and also analyze the data in Tucson labs. We looked to see what information the missile received versus what information was sent to the missile, and use that to understand how the missile behaved… etc. So, we looked at a lot of graphs and codes.

The important part of this internship program was to allow me time and experience to witness the types of skills used in the workforce. In other words, what should I be teaching in my classroom that will prepare my students for a career in math or science?

That pretty much sums it up, it was a great experience and I look forward to working at Raytheon again next summer!

Here’s a clip of some behind the scenes footage of the interview process:

Thank you for sharing this experience with us Jennie.