Complex Problem Solving and Imperfect Solutions

Social Impact Chemistry has been busy in the lab this week experimenting to determine various metals’ specific heat capacities.

Upper School students engaged in a deliberation yesterday with their advisories on the question, “How should the Hockaday Upper School regulate the use of cell phones by students during the school day?” 

Hockaday’s beekeeper, Teagen Breedlove, recently visited Upper School Biology classes to explain the dynamics of hives, the roles of different species of bees in ecosystems, and the various pressures put on bees.

Middle School Student Council is working together to solve an issue at school – how to help students leave the dining hall less messy after lunch! 

If you ask a Fourth Grader what her favorite class is, you’ll often hear “CCI!” 

Upper School Environmental Chemistry, a Social Impact class, took a field trip to West Dallas today to learn about some of the issues facing residents.

Upper School’s Biology, Impact, and the Zoo class was visited by special guests this week! 

Upper School students modeled their civil discourse training at an assembly in October.

Third Grade was thrilled to have Jess Wilson, Integrative Health Coach and Whole Food Plant-Based/Vegan Personal Chef, speak with the science and social impact class today! 

Dallas ISD District 2 Trustee Sarah Weinberg visited Upper School government, a Social Impact class, to engage students in a discussion about the vital role of school board governance, the interplay between local, state, and federal government in shaping education policy, and practical ways for students to get involved in addressing educational issues within the Dallas community.

Eighth Grade students have been growing microgreens in science class as part of their investigation of Earth’s biosphere and ecosystems.

The annual Student Research Program Poster Symposium was held yesterday in Ownby Lobby.

Upper School’s Biology, Impact, and the Zoo class worked on prototypes this week to solve a problem.

Upper School Statistics, a Social Impact-designated class, visited an animal shelter this week in preparation for their data project with Dallas Animal Services.

Hockaday students and faculty traveled to the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Crested Butte for a week-long immersion program this summer.

After reading the book “Building Thinking Classrooms” last year, Middle School teacher Jenni Stout changed her approach to teaching math to better engage the girls in her classes.

Last year, Hockaday developed a new partnership with the Data Science Department at Southern Methodist University (SMU).

Congratulations to Anika Gopal (Class of 2026), who was named the winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge in Texas’s 24th District!

Hockaday’s Upper School held a Dress Swap last week in preparation for upcoming dances and mixers! Around 90 dresses were donated by students, and their peers could come and “shop” for a free new dress.

Kindergarten and Primer girls have been practicing the steps of the Engineering Design Process (Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Improve) as they work to engineer a solution for Penny, a dog in need of shade.