FORT WORTH STUDENTS SHOW LASER FOCUS AT 2018 STATE STEM COMPETITION
(Anna, TX) – What could you do with a bakery box, a laser beam, six lenses and an hour? Students from across Texas were presented with this challenge on Saturday, April 28th, as part of the 33rd annual TAME State STEM Competition, sponsored by Raytheon and held at the YMCA Collin County Adventure Camp in Anna, Texas. Students used the supplies to focus and diffuse a laser beam during the Engineering Design Challenge segment of the competition.
The State STEM Competition is an annual event organized by the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME), a statewide non-profit organization committed to preparing Texas students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). TAME’s annual State STEM Competition is the focus of a year of intense preparation for Texas students in TAME clubs around the state. TAME students from grades 6-12 qualified to attend the event at one of 14 Divisional STEM Competitions.
This year’s competition brought 299 Texas to Anna to test their skills in math, science, and engineering. After spending the morning taking individual math and science tests, students came together in groups combining schools and grade levels to practice their collaborative problem solving skills over the Engineering Design Challenge.
In his morning address to students, State Senator Van Taylor highlighted the importance of STEM education at both an individual and a community level. An afternoon appearance by Raytheon executive and former astronaut Robert Curbeam had students asking questions about space travel and life on the International Space Station.
Melissa Cortez, an 8th grade student at Smylie Wilson Middle School in TAME’s Lubbock Chapter, emphasized the impact that participation in the event can have on students: “Being part of TAME and the STEM Competition, it’s just riveting. I’m very excited to meet new people, to explore new options, to see what my life could be outside of Lubbock. I am just so happy to be here. I’ve met so many wonderful people. I know that if I can do anything here, I can do anything anywhere else.”
The top six students in each test and the top six teams in the Engineering Design Challenge were recognized with awards and medals. In addition, three teams received special awards for creativity, teamwork, and innovation. The Texas Board of Professional Engineers sponsored the Innovation Award.
Ivye Arioja Dolino, a senior from Presidio High School in TAME’s West Texas Chapter, designed the winning artwork for the event shirts and programs. Ivye plans to attend The University of Texas at Austin this fall.
TAME’s Outstanding Senior Award, sponsored by Shell Oil Company, was presented to Brisa Diaz, a high school senior from Everman Joe C. Bean High School in TAME’s Dallas Chapter. Brisa plans to attend The University of Texas at Arlington and pursue a degree in Aerospace Engineering this fall.
The STEM Competitions, part of TAME’s multi-pronged STEM engagement strategy, celebrate diversity and achievement in STEM and encourage the development of a peer and mentor network. Thanks to the support of a number of sponsors, gratefully acknowledged below, the events are offered free of charge to all participants.
We are thrilled to announce that 24 students from the Fort Worth Chapter competed in the event.
The following students placed in the competition:
Granbury Middle School Rebecca Valentine – 6th Place in the Engineering Design Challenge
Haltom High School Cecilia Romero – 4th Place in 9th Grade Science, 5th Place in the Engineering Design Challenge Sorin Pena – 6th Place in 12th Grade Science
Haltom Middle School Chloe Guerrero – 5th Place in 8th Grade Math, 6th Place in 8th Grade Science
Harmony Science Academy Euless Arnold Langat – 3rd Place in 11th Grade Science Dave Park – 4th Place in 9th Grade Math
North Richland Middle School Jeremiah Harris – 4th Place in 6th Grade Science Matthew Barnett – 6th Place in 7th Grade Science, 3rd Place in the Engineering Design Challenge Nicollette Hillman – 2nd Place in 6th Grade Math, 3rd Place in 6th Grade Science
Richland High School David Serrato – 5th Place in 12th Grade Science Robert B. Taylor – 1st Place in 10th Grade Math, 1st Place in 10th Grade Science Tai Ha – 6th Place in 10th Grade Science Tin Ha – 4th Place in 11th Grade Math, 1st Place in the Engineering Design Challenge
Watauga Middle School Joaquin Eduardo – 4th Place in 6th Grade Math, Judges’ Choice Award for Teamwork in the Engineering Design Challenge
For more awards, photos, statistics, and stories from the competition, visit tame.org/state2018. Contact the TAME program coordinators at programs@tame.org if you have any questions or comments.
Watauga Elementary fifth-graders travel to Cameron Park Zoo, Waco Mammoth National Monument, and Inner Space Cavern on an Education in Action Discover Texas Field Trip
Fifth-graders from Birdville ISD’s Watauga Elementary traveled to the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, Waco Mammoth National Monument, and Inner Space Cavern in Georgetown on an Education in Action Discover Texas Field Trip April 18, 2018 to experience what they are learning in science class.
At the Cameron Park Zoo, students explored the Brazos River Country exhibit, tracking the Brazos River from its source near Lubbock on to the Gulf of Mexico. Students investigated many animals living in the five ecological regions of Texas through which the Brazos River passes with a focus on each animal’s unique adaptations and ecological niche.
Next, the students experienced the nation’s first and only recorded discovery of a nursery herd of Pleistocene mammoths at Waco Mammoth National Monument. While viewing the in situ, sub-fossil remains of six Columbian mammoths and other Ice Age animals, the students learned about the Ice Age, how the fossils were discovered, sedimentary rocks, and why the site is one of the most important paleontological sites in North America.
Throughout the day, the students participated in numerous hands-on activities to learn about many of the Earth’s cycles, systems, and processes. Students learned about the water cycle, the environmental benefits of the world’s wetlands, and watersheds through participation in hands-on demonstrations. The student scientists discussed the rock cycle and worked in groups to classify rock, mineral, and fossil samples. At Inner Space Cavern in Georgetown, students panned for, and identified, minerals found in the cavern. The students concluded their day by watching the Earth’s processes at work as they toured the highly decorated Inner Space Cavern.
“Education in Action’s Discover Texas Field Trips are based on the understanding that the most effective way for students to learn is through experience,”stated Lacey Phillips, Discover Texas Field Trips Director.“Student activities during this Discover Texas Field Trip reinforce and supplement fifth grade science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) learning objectives in a fun, hands-on way that helps the students synthesize content taught in the classroom.”
Education in Action’s Discover Texas Field Trips make it easy for teachers to take their 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade classrooms on organized, fun, and educational site-based learning experiences. Discover Texas Field Trip staff members handle all details, including round-trip charter bus transportation, reservations, and TEKS-based program curriculum, so participating teachers can focus on their students and making connections between the experience and what students are learning in the classroom.
In addition to Discover Texas Field Trips to Austin, San Antonio, Waco/Georgetown, Dallas, and Fort Worth, Education in Action also offers summer Lone Star Leadership Academy camps for outstanding 4th-8th graders. During the weeklong, overnight camps, participants experience significant Texas sites in Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin/San Antonio, or Houston/Galveston with Texas educators and a focus on leadership.
Discover Texas Field Trips are presented by Education in Action, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering educated and involved young people. For more information about Education in Action visit www.educationinaction.org and www.facebook.com/educationinaction.
Congratulations to Haltom Middle School (HMS) for being named a No Excuses University (College Readiness) Campus. The goal of the campus is to provide an educational experience that prepares all students to be successful in college.
CAMPUS VISION – Without Excuse, 100% of HMS students will develop their academic, social, and emotional capacity in order to be successful at a university and career of their choice.
Haltom Middle School believes …
In order to foster whole child development, we must impact ALL aspects of our students’ lives, academically, socially, and emotionally.
That hard work truly pays off so that effort is rewarded and recognized, rather than only achievement. #hmshardworkpaysoff
Setting high expectations is the right thing to do. Regardless of students’ backgrounds, we have the power to overcome challenges by working harder AND smarter.
In the power of having a Growth Mindset and the power of “Yet.” Every child has the capacity to grow and develop, and it is our responsibility to guide them through the process.
In the power of passion and perseverance. Having GRIT. #hmsgritneverquits
We are one Haltom family … we are part of something greater than ourselves. We are committed to ensuring all students are connected to the school in some facet other than the classroom. We are crazy about one another. #heartofhaltom
