ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Registration for eCYBERMISSION, a web-based STEM competition free to students in grades 6–9, is now open. Now in its 15th year, eCYBERMISSION challenges students to develop solutions to real-world challenges in their local communities. Registration is open until December 7, 2016.
“We’re thrilled to see how the 2016-2017 eCYBERMISSION teams will accept the challenge and develop real-world solutions for the benefit of their communities,” said Louie R. Lopez, Program Manager for eCYBERMISSION. “Every year, I’m fascinated by projects submitted by our students. The bar is certainly raised each year with novel solutions to STEM-related issues in their communities.”
To compete in eCYBERMISSION, a program sponsored by the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program and administered by the National Science Teachers Association, students form a team of three to four and choose a Mission Challenge based on the teams exploration of a community issue—technology, environment, food, health & fitness, robotics, etc. Teams use either scientific inquiry or the engineering design process to propose a solution to that community issue.
Students can win on a state, regional, and national level, with national winning teams receiving $9,000 in U.S. saving bonds and attendance at eCYBERMISSION’s National Judging & Educational Event. In addition, up to five teams have the opportunity to receive the Army’s $5,000 STEM-in-Action Grant to further implement their projects.
STEM professionals are encouraged to participate as volunteers—Virtual Judges, Ambassadors, and/or CyberGuides—to help build students' interest in STEM. eCYBERMISSION provides online resources for teams to assist with project completion. CyberGuide Live Chats, for example, involves volunteers providing virtual feedback to teams about their Mission Folders—the official write-up of their project.
Registered teams competing have until February 22, 2017 to submit their Mission Folders.
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 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.
