Highland Park High School hosted 50 science and technology professionals on November 16 for the one-day speaker series known as the Highland Park High School Science Festival. The students were encouraged to dream big as they chose presentations to attend from the long list of esteemed speakers.

The event’s outstanding volunteer presenters discussed their careers, educational paths, and work experiences during this jam-packed, day-long series of presentations. All Highland Park High School students attended presentations during their regularly scheduled science and technology classes.

This year’s speakers included a 2012 Highland Park High School graduate, Blake Copeland, who began his computer programming career while still in high school, graduated from Baylor, and is now the Producer and Programming Lead for GAD Studios.

Dr. Richard Salter returned as a speaker this year and once again demonstrated the da Vinci Surgical System to amazed students. This multi-million dollar surgical robot was loaned to Highland Park High School for the day thanks to generous sponsorship by Intuitive Surgical and Methodist Richardson Medical Center.

Other physicians joined the list of exceptional speakers including Dr. Pam Okada of UT Southwestern Medical School and Children’s Medical Center, and Highland Park High School parent Dr. Manish Assar, an Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiologist at Baylor University Medical Center.

Additionally, the students were eager to hear from Michael Leidner on the science of bees; Angelique Whitehurst, Ph.D., a Highland Park ISD parent who discussed the latest cancer research happening at UT Southwestern Medical Center; and Jonathan Licker, Global Flavors and Seasonings R&D Senior Manager for PepsiCo. The students were able to taste the latest potato chip flavors being researched and hear about the development!

For the past 12 years, the purpose of the Highland Park High School Science Festival has been:

• To increase student understanding and appreciation for in-demand science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) professions
• To introduce students to role models in STEM businesses
• To encourage students to enroll in science, technology, engineering, and math courses so that they will be poised to pursue related STEM careers and answer the growing demand of the global job market
• To encourage students to dream big and contribute in unique ways

The Highland Park High School Science Festival was chaired by Kim Brannon with the support of Highland Park High School Science and Technology teachers and 50 parent volunteers. In addition to the contributions by Intuitive Surgical and Methodist Richardson Medical Center, generous donations from La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas and Highland Park High School families make this event possible year after year.