Two teams qualify for national STEM competition

The team of Molly Biedrzycki, Augusta Bottonari, Sophia Henderson and Harshini Sivakumar placed fifth out of 77 teams in Pennsylvania. Also earning a qualifying score is the team of Ryan Popp, Ryan Hyatt, Jacob Higgs and Ben Sewald.

TEAMS is a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) competition. Focused on a new theme each year, TEAMS challenges teams of students to collaboratively solve real-world engineering issues by applying their STEM knowledge in practical and creative ways.

Teams of two to four students compete at the state-level in February and March at their school. This one-day, three-part competition includes:

• Design/Build – Teams design and build a solution to an engineering challenge.
• Multiple Choice – Teams use math and science skills to solve 40 real-world engineering challenges within 60 minutes.
• Essay – Teams research and write an in-depth essay submitted electronically prior to their competition day.

This year's theme was designing for extreme weather. Casey Teagarden, gifted education teacher, provided oversight.

“Teams had to write an essay as the project engineers building a hotel on a Caribbean island to withstand severe weather conditions,” Ms. Teagarden said. “And the design and build portion required students to build and test a prototype stilt building made to withstand hurricane force winds. Students had 90 minutes to complete this task using materials such as index cards, drinking straws, and paper clips.”

Teams whose combined overall state-level score is among the top nationally are eligible to compete at the National TEAMS Competitions, which are held in conjunction with the National Technology Student Association Conference.