Tennessee high school teams will meet Feb. 18 at Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering as the Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS) launches its annual TEAMS competition that challenges students to use practical applications of math and science to answer engineering questions about everyday world challenges.
With the 2011 theme, “Smarter Energy, Cleaner Planet”, TEAMS will show students firsthand how engineers in various disciplines, including environmental engineers, civil engineers and mechanical engineers tackle the energy crisis and the global need for diversification, efficiency, security and ecological sustainability.
TEAMS is a theme-based competition giving ninth to 12th grade students the opportunity to discover engineering and how they can make a difference in the world. Students can be from high schools—public, private, home schools—youth groups or clubs and organizations.
“By focusing on the struggle to meet the world’s growing energy needs, TEAMS not only introduces today’s students to one of the most pressing issues of our time, but also introduces them to engineers’ key role in addressing and solving society’s problems,” said Linda Snow-Solum, JETS president. “It’s all part of JETS 60 year mission to inspire the next generation of engineers.”
Some 10,000 ninth to 12th grade TEAMS participants will gather for one-day events over a four-week period from February 14 through March 15 at 130 competition sites in 43 states and the District of Columbia, including 64 colleges and universities. The two highest ranking level teams in the country will take top honors as the “Best Overall” and will be announced in April 2011. They will receive a $2,500 cash prize, team trophy, student medals and certificates.
Other Vanderbilt School of Engineering activities Feb. 18 include a campus tour, luncheon, engineering student speakers and awards presentation. To learn more, contact Stacy Klein-Gardner at 615-322-6085.