$110,000 worth of U.S. EE Savings Bonds at
maturity awarded to eCYBERMISSION 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade,
and 9th Grade National-Winning Teams
The U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) announced that
teams Momentum Charge (6th grade), The Water Project (7th grade),
The Scientists (8th grade), and Team BioTech (9th grade) are the
National Winners for their respective grade levels at the 22nd
annual eCYBERMISSION National Judging & Educational Event
(NJ&EE). Each team member will now receive $10,000 in U.S. EE
Savings Bonds at maturity.
The weeklong event, which took place June 24 – 28 at the
Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles hotel in Chantilly, Virginia,
saw five National Finalist teams per grade level from across the
country compete for the National Winner title. Teams presented
their eCYBERMISSION projects to a panel of senior Scientist and
Engineer judges from the Department of Defense, National Science
Teaching Association, and the eCYBERMISSION Team Advisor of the
Year, who then unanimously selected the National Winner for each
grade level. Winners were announced at the National Awards
Ceremony, which took place June 28. This year’s National Winners
are:
Momentum Charge – 6th Grade
Momentum Charge developed three wind turbine blade models and
found that their Archimedes Spiral-inspired blade performed better
than more modern designs for generating energy from wind. The team
is comprised of students Cooper Daniel, Xander Gonzalez, Knox
Stary, and Krue Stary and led by Team Advisor Laura Stary. They
hail from Southcrest Christian School in Lubbock, Texas.
The Water Project – 7th Grade
The Water Project engineered a cholera-removing filter using
cobs of maize, fabric, and a plastic bottle in hopes of helping
provide clean water for the people of Malawi. The team is comprised
of students Clara DuPlessie and Elliana Shahan and led by Team
Advisor Beth DuPlessie. They are a homeschooled team hailing from
Foxboro, Massachusetts.
The Scientists – 8th Grade
The Scientists studied the interest in and potential for AI
educational initiatives in schools and assessed the accuracy of
ChatGPT's mathematical reasonings. The team is comprised of
students Daniel Dao, Lawrence Dao, and Eian Pracht and led by Team
Advisor Nancy Jackson. They hail from Lawrence Virtual School in
Robinson, Kansas.
Team BioTech – 9th Grade
Team BioTech developed Respitronics, a wearable biomedical
sensor that increases access to remote healthcare for patients with
chronic lower respiratory disease. The team is comprised of
students Emma Simmons and Sarah Simmons and led by Team Advisor
Lisa McLeod-Simmons. They are a homeschooled team hailing from
Fairfield, Pennsylvania.
“The Army Educational Outreach Program represents the U.S.
Army’s commitment to the advancement of STEM education and
literacy, and these students are a true embodiment of that
commitment,” said Christina Weber, AEOP Cooperative Agreement
Manager. “We heartily congratulate the eCYBERMISSION National
Winners, and all eCYBERMISSION competitors, for their drive to
break barriers and improve their communities through STEM.”
“It is exciting to see so many young people showing their
passion for STEM subjects early through competitions like
eCYBERMISSION," said Erika Shugart, Ph.D., Chief Executive Offer,
NSTA. "Together with AEOP, we congratulate these amazing students,
look forward to watching their future progress, and applaud the
Team Advisors, teachers, parents, and communities that have
contributed to their success."
In addition to the National Winners, two other teams received
awards at this year’s NJ&EE. Team Geriatric Robots (8th grade,
Illinois) received the Army Values Award for best embodying the
U.S. Army values throughout the week of NJ&EE. Team
Prescription Protectors (9th grade, North Carolina) received the
People’s Choice Award, which was decided by the popular vote of
at-home viewers after all teams presented their projects at the
National Showcase.
Registration for the 2024-2025 eCYBERMISSION competition opens
in the fall. To learn more about eCYBERMISSION, please visit
www.ecybermission.com.
About eCYBERMISSION
eCYBERMISSION is a free, virtual science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) competition for students in
grade six to nine that promotes teamwork, self-discovery, and the
real-life applications of STEM. Students work in teams, led by an
adult Team Advisor, and select a problem in their community to
investigate with science or solve with engineering. With
eCYBERMISSION, students experience STEM firsthand and learn how
they can use it to change the world while interacting with STEM
professionals and competing for state, regional, and national
awards. eCYBERMISSION students have applied for and received
patents, expanded their projects into businesses, and achieved
further national recognition, including the first ever TIME’s “Kid
of the Year”. eCYBERMISSION is an Army Educational Outreach Program
(AEOP) competition administered by the National Science Teaching
Association (NSTA).
About the Army Educational Outreach Program
(AEOP)
The United States Army has long recognized that a scientifically
and technologically literate citizenry is our nation’s best hope
for a secure, rewarding, and successful future. For over 50 years,
the U.S. Army has supported a wide range of educational
opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
(STEM) for our youth, college, and graduate students, as well as
our valued teachers. Through AEOP, the U.S. Army continues its long
tradition and strong commitment to the advancement of STEM
education and literacy. Leveraging its most valuable assets –
world-class scientists and engineers and research facilities – AEOP
offers our nation’s youth and teachers a collaborative, cohesive
portfolio of opportunities that effectively engage future workforce
generations in meaningful, real-world STEM experiences,
competitions, and paid internships. For more information about
AEOP, please visit www.usaeop.com.
About the National Science Teaching Association
(NSTA)
The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is a vibrant
community of 40,000 science educators and professionals committed
to best practices in teaching science and its impact on student
learning. NSTA offers high quality science resources and continuous
learning so that science educators grow professionally and excel in
their career. For new and experienced teachers alike, the NSTA
community offers the opportunity to network with like-minded peers
at the national level, connect with mentors and leading
researchers, and learn from the best in the field. For more
information, visit www.nsta.org, or follow NSTA on Twitter,
Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
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Faith Benner 703-312-9277 fbenner@nsta.org