Two Katy ISD brothers introduce students in India to robotics
While on vacation recently, two Katy-area brothers introduced students in India to the world of robotics, school officials announced.
Abhishek Routray, a 2015 graduate of Cinco Ranch High School and former member of the school’s FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition Team 624 — CRyptonite — and his brother, Beck Junior High School eighthgrader Anuraag Routray, presented the robotics workshop to students at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya.
The school, located in Khordha, Orissa, on the east coast of India, is a magnet-type regional public school serving students from sixth grade through high school, according to school officials.
Chetana Samal, the boys’ mother, serves as a mentor for the CRyptonite and Naturally Beck robotics team.
Setting up the LEGO robot kit used in FIRST LEGO League competitions, Abhishek said he was surprised to learn the students had never played with LEGOs.
“It was a little mind-boggling to think about,” said Abhishek, nowa mechanical engineering major at University of Texas-Austin. “Something almost all my friends and I had enjoyed when we were little was completely foreign to these students.”
The student credits FIRST with defining his high school experience as well as career aspirations.
“I’m certain I would not be where I am today had I not been involved with the FIRST Robotics Competition and with Team 624,” Abhishek said.
Education Foundation to host jazz dinner
The Katy ISD Education Foundation’s third annual jazz dinner is set to feature a change of name but the same enthusiasm as in pre- vious years, according to foundation officials.
Previously called Jazz with a Katy Flair, the annual fundraiser is being presented this year as GROOVE, beginning with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m., on Thursday, April 7, at Omni Houston Hotel Westside, 13210 Katy Freeway at Eldridge, officials said.
Nowin its fourth year of operation, the foundation has awarded more than $500,000 in grants to Katy ISD teachers, officials said.
The evening of jazz music is scheduled to feature The Dennis Dotson Quin- tet, at the invitation of the Katy Jazz Festival, officials said. Dotson, who plays at jazz festivals throughout the country as well as regional jazz festivals in Texas, has been a clinician, guest soloist and adjudicator at morethan 40 colleges and high schools throughout the United States, according to officials.
Sponsorships, including table sponsors, are available for the event, which earns funds for Katy ISD teacher grants. Tickets are $100 each from the foundation by calling 281396-6031 or by emailing foundation@katyisd.org. For more information or to become a sponsor, visit www.katyisdeducationfoundation.org.
Katy ISD artists exhibit at history museum
Katy ISD officials announced that six Katy students are among 100 young artists from across the state invited to participate in the Texas Art Edu- cation’s Youth Art Month Capitol Celebration.
According to district officials, the exhibit showcases artwork of students from pre-K through 12th grade from about 50 Texas school districts. The artwork is exhibited in the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum through April 23.
Katy students participating are Woodcreek Junior High students Garret Cuzzocreo: “Contour Objects;” Keiko Davidson Elementary student Ananya Pasunuri: “The Quilted Farm;” Seven Lakes High student Sri Varanasi: “I Wish I Were Smaller;” Isabelle Weng of Morton Ranch Junior High: “Taken Apart,” and Ray and Jaime Wolman Elementary student Preston Wingate: “Into the Dragon’s Soul.”