The U.S. Army Announces 20 National Finalists to Advance in the 2014-2015 eCYBERMISSION Competition

May 7, 2015 | By Business Wire News

ARLINGTON, Va.

The U.S. Army today announced that 20 talented student teams have been selected as national finalists in the 13th annual eCYBERMISSION competition. The web-based science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program—sponsored by the U.S. Army and administered by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)—is designed to cultivate student interest in STEM by encouraging students in grades six through nine to develop solutions to real-world problems in their local communities. The national finalist teams now advance to the competition’s National Judging and Educational Event (NJ&EE), taking place in Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

The national finalist teams were chosen from a distinct group of 60 regional finalists. A panel of judges consisting of U.S. Army scientists and engineers, educators, and STEM professionals selected the regional winners based on criteria including innovative ideas and a questioning and answering session with the judges.

“The U.S. Army is constantly amazed at the level of talent these winning teams possess during the eCYBERMISSION competition,” said Louie R. Lopez, Program Manager for eCYBERMISSION. “We want to continue doing our part in encouraging students to excel in STEM. Congratulations to all regional winners and I look forward to meeting each team at the National Judging and Educational Event.”

National finalists focused their projects on one of seven mission challenges that affect their community, including alternative sources of energy; the environment; food; health and fitness; force and motion; national security and safety; and robotics. As national finalists, each team member will receive a $2,000 U.S. Series EE Savings Bond and an all-expenses paid trip to NJ&EE to compete for the first-place national award in their grade.

“We are incredibly proud of all the projects that came through this year,” said Dr. Juliana Texley, NSTA President. “The national finalists were incredibly inventive and thoughtful. We applaud the students on their projects – the quality and ingenuity of their work is phenomenal.”

2015 National Finalist Teams

** Denotes a STEM-in-Action Grant Recipient

North Central Region

6^th– The Sugar Stoppers
6^th – Secret SPYder Society** (Not a national finalist team)
7^th– DriverAlert
8^th– HydroPhysics
9^th– Cashews

North East Region

6^th– Aqua Squad
7^th– The “JAYS”
8^th– iRecycle2
9^th– Raysearchers

South East Region

6^th– Supernova 8
7^th– Charger Nation
8^th– Team Sea Slugs
8^th – SPOT-R** (Not a national finalist team)
9^th– Winaught

South Central Region

6^th– Water Warriors**
7^th– Protons**
8^th– Pollination Sensation
9^th– Power Up

West Region

6^th– Infection Protection**
7^th–Hope 2 Others (H2O)
8^th–TMT
9^th– Graffiti Busters 101

The NJ&EE is a week-long event that focuses on educational opportunities and team building exercises. This year’s event features a STEM Challenge, where students will participate in STEM demonstrations and hands-on activities. In addition to the national awards, the AEOP is funding STEM-in-Action grants to selected eCYBERMISSION national finalist teams to implement solutions in their local communities based on the results of their projects. A $5,000 grant will be awarded to five teams across all grade levels in the competition. The grants, which are independent of the selection of the national winners, will be presented at NJ&EE.

About Army Educational Outreach Program

The AEOP Cooperative Agreement was formed by the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) and includes Virginia Tech as the lead organization, the Academy of Applied Science, American Society for Engineering Education, the Technology Student Association, the University of New Hampshire and NSTA. AEOP is charged with addressing national needs for a STEM literate citizenry through a portfolio of educational opportunities which includes unique experiences, competitions, and high school internships that aim to spark an interest in STEM and encourage participants to pursue college and careers in STEM fields. The Army is committed to increasing the STEM talent pool in order to ensure our national security and global competitiveness. For more information on AEOP, visit www.usaeop.com.

About RDECOM

RDECOM has the mission to develop technology and engineering solutions for America’s Soldiers. It is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. AMC is the Army’s premier provider of materiel readiness — technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection, and sustainment — to the total force, across the spectrum of joint military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, eats it or communicates with it, AMC provides it. For more information on RDECOM, visit www.army.mil/rdecom.

About NSTA

The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA’s current membership includes approximately 55,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.