The halls of the Ann Richards School were buzzing with excitement on May 18 as our Stars welcomed families, friends, and community members to StarFest, our schoolwide Exhibition of Learning.
For one evening, classrooms transformed into interactive galleries where our Stars took center stage, sharing projects, presentations, research, artwork, films, and performances that highlighted their learning throughout the year. Inspired by the celebrated Festival del Sol at High Tech High Chula Vista, StarFest gave our Stars the opportunity to present their work to a real audience and celebrate their growth.
Visitors experienced the incredible variety of learning happening across campus. Guests practiced Spanish while collecting passport stamps during ¡A Viajar!, explored sustainable school designs created by sixth-grade Stars, tested their luck at the Probability Carnival, and viewed Star-created video games, animations, artwork, and films. Engineering Stars showcased projects ranging from hydraulic scissor lifts and smart home models to original capstone designs that addressed real-world challenges.
Science and research were also on display, with Stars presenting chemistry, physics, environmental science, and biomedical projects. Junior and senior biomedical Stars shared highlights from their cancer research collaboration with researchers at The University of Texas at Austin, while AP Environmental Science Stars presented original experiments focused on water quality, human health, and urban heat.
Across the building, Stars shared literature reviews, independent research, historical investigations, writing portfolios, and interdisciplinary projects that connected learning across subjects. Throughout the evening, visitors engaged directly with our Stars, asking questions and learning more about the ideas, challenges, and discoveries behind each project.
StarFest also included Band, Choir, Dance, and Orchestra performances that showcased the creativity and skill from our fine arts Stars.
More than an exhibition, StarFest was a celebration of Star voice, curiosity, and accomplishment. By sharing their work with families and the community, our Stars demonstrated not only what they learned, but also the confidence, creativity, and critical thinking skills they developed along the way.
