In answer to those many parents who want their children to continue the unique Catholic education provided by the Academy, the Oratorian family created the Oratory Athenaeum for University Preparation, a high school for grades nine through twelve. The Athenaeum was a temple of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, where poets read their work. The Romans took the word and while preserving the depth of its religious sense, gave it a new meaning: a place where students could find the best of the arts and sciences. Because Catholics believe that God is the sole source of all truth and beauty, the word “athenaeum” appropriately reflects the educational tone that the Oratory strives for in the growth and development of the adolescent mind. See the Senior Class of 2008.
HESTEC Winners!!!
The Oratory coaches for "Robot Day" were G. Zanetti, M. Turchi, and M. Maldonado.
The third place winning robot was named "Torpedo". Team members were:: M. Rodríguez, A. Maldonado, J. Fabela, M. I. Hernández, and D. López.
Second place winning robot was named "Wierd". The team members were: A. Vielma, E. Gómez, R. Garza, C. González, and M. Coronado.
HOORAY!!!
Two of our three teams attending the H.E.S.T.E.C Robotics Competition sponsored by NASA and the University of Texas Pan American, won second and third place! Congratulations to the students, teachers, and coaches who learned how to program the "BotBrain" and maneauver the mazes to win the race.
I wish to extend a special note of gratitude to the Kenedy Memorial Foundation of Corpus Christi, for their grant initiative that afforded this wonderful science engineering opportunity for our high school students.
H.E.S.T.E.C. Teams for Robotic Competition
ROBOTICS!
Oratory Athenćum Students to Participate in Robotics Competition
Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology (HESTEC) week was created for the purpose of getting Hispanic private and public high school students interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math careers. On September 25 and 26, the University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, Texas, will host HESTEC Robotics Day and HESTEC NASA Exploration and Career Day.
Thanks to a grant from The John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation, selected teams of freshman and sophomore students, under the direction of their coaches G. Zanetti, M. Turchi, and L. Lastra, will participate in the Robotics Competition. The event will consist in building and programming a robot using advance robotics engineering practices. Each robot can be built using infrared, fire, and touch sensors. The robot will be going through different obstacles. Students will be challenged to program the robot with computer software to overcome any obstacles it may face. Through rounds of elimination, three top teams from south Texas will be identified and prizes will be given to all members of the team.
A Choir is Born
Musical Scales on Guitar
The New Trimester Schedule 9-12
Athenćum Coordinator and Vice-Director, Fr. José E. Losoya, C.O., reviews with his faculty the Trimester Schedule, a form of block scheduling for high schools being applied this year. Each trimester is twelve weeks long and there are three per school year. By following this plan, students are able to have a less rigorous schedule on a daily basis, but still be able to graduate with even more credits (to include AP and Concurrent Enrollment). According to recent research, some trimester schedule advantages are:
- Students can take more electives
- Homework load is lighter
- More time to devote in depth and quality time to a fewer number of subjects
- Increased graduation requirements
- Teachers have fewer class changes, which make for fewer discipline problems
- Teacher has fewer additional assigned duties and preparations
- Creation of new courses, and
- Teachers have more time for applying comprehensive instruction and strategies.
