tvc.dsj.org | April 16, 2019 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
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Holy Family Robotics Team Innovates
Mrs. Tina Bowers
Holy Family School is very proud
of their sixth grade First Lego League
Robotics Team, “Space Cow Theory,”
for their accomplishments this year.
The team of sixth graders, led by three
dad coaches, were recognized for
their success in their project, in which
the goal was to develop solutions to
real-world problems that demonstrate
originality and have the potential to
add significant impact to the world.
Their innovative project idea led to two
awards and even earned them a spot as
finalists in the regional expo.
This year’s theme for the first Ro-
botics challenge was “Into Orbit.” As
part of the challenge, not only did the
team have to design and program a
robot made up of Legos to accomplish
missions in the robot game, but the
team also had a project, which was to
identify a human physical or social
problem faced during long duration
space exploration. Once the problem
was identified, the team had to provide
an innovative solution that makes the
problem better. This is where our team
really began to shine.
The problem the team identified was
to reduce the amount of trash gener-
ated during long term space travel.
Additionally, the team also considered
a unique way to add vitamins and fla-
vor to the meals the space travel crew
would eat during their mission. Their
proposed solution was to create an ed-
ible food packaging with vitamins and
flavoring added, that could actually be
eaten as part of the meal or be dissolved
by adding water to a meal, such as soup.
Removing the need to carry this ad-
ditional trash not only reduced waste,
it could save approximately $6,000,000
to the overall mission cost.
The boys also came up with the idea
to add vitamins to the edible packag-
ing to provide an alternative to taking
vitamin supplements. Also, they recog-
nized that adding flavoring to the ed-
ible packaging could solve a common
complaint of astronauts, which is that
the food is too bland.
This innovative solution also has the
potential to be applied to current food
packaging on Earth to reduce waste
and offer other ways to provide nour-
ishment and flavoring to commonly
Presentation High School
Names Holly Elkins New President
The Presentation High School Board
of Directors announced on April 3 the
appointment of Holly Elkins as its next
President, effective July 1.
Holly’s appointment is the result of
a rigorous and inclusive search process,
which involved participation from the
entire school community–trustees,
families, alumnae, students, and faculty
and staff.
Holly comes to Presentation from
Saint Francis High School in Mountain
View where she spent the past eighteen
years of her career.
“We are thrilled to have found such
a strong match and Catholic educator
like Holly to lead Presentation into the
future,” said Jon Yap, chair of the Search
Committee. “Holly’s passion for our
mission and strong belief in the power
of all-girls education will be a great asset
to our Presentation community.”
Currently, Holly is Executive Direc-
tor of Advancement at Saint Francis,
where she is responsible for overseeing
the school’s community engagement,
Holly Elkins
marketing, and fundraising efforts.
Holly has also been integral in the
school’s strategic planning, campus
master planning and capital campaign
fundraising efforts to shape the future
of the student experience.
“I am humbled and honored to serve
as the next President of Presentation
High School at this important moment
for women’s education,” said Holly
Elkins. “I look forward to bringing to-
gether the entire Pres family -- the Board
of Directors, Trustees, school leaders,
parents, alumnae and students -- to
create a future that builds on our shared
values, rich traditions, and legacy of
Nano Nagle.”
For more information regarding Catholic Schools visit,
www.dsj.org/schools.
eaten individually wrapped foods.
During the Qualifying Tourna-
ment in November, the problem and
solution was presented to a panel of
judges and the team was awarded
both the Project Award and the Global
InnovationAward for their unique
and innovative project. These awards
meant the judges found potential
value in the team’s solution and gave
the team an opportunity to participate
in the NorCal Region Innovation Expo
in March. After preparing their pre-
sentation for the Innovation Expo for
months, the team brought prototypes
of the edible food packaging to show
the judges, presented their solution,
and fielded intense questions from a
panel of judges.
Through their Robotics journey
this year, the team learned a lot about
critical thinking, problem solving, and
how to present their ideas to others.
Holy Family School is very proud of
our team for already thinking about
ways to find unique solutions to real
problems and to make an impact on
the world.
Participate in the
The Valley Catholic Young Journalists Group
The Valley Catholic Young Journalists Group is a team of high school
journalists who are passionate about retelling such stories through priests,
ordinary people and religious events. If
you enjoy writing, telling stories, and
are active in your parish, come join this
group! For more information or to share
a story, please contact Justin Chung at
[email protected].