[April 27, 2015]

The U.S. Army Announces 60 Regional Finalists to Advance in the 13th Annual eCYBERMISSION STEM Competition

The U.S. Army today announced that 60 student teams will advance in the 13th annual eCYBERMISSION competition - one of several science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) initiatives offered by the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP). Sponsored by the U.S. Army and administered by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), eCYBERMISSION, is a web-based STEM competition that is free to students and designed to help build students' interest and knowledge in STEM. Students in grades six through nine are challenged with developing a solution to a real-world problem in their local community. Students compete on state, regional, and national levels for monetary awards, with national winning teams receiving up to $9,000 in U.S. EE Savings Bonds, valued at maturity.

The top three scores in each grade in each of the five regions make up the 60 regional finalist teams that will compete in the regional judging. A panel of judges consisting of U.S. Army scientists and engineers, educators, and STEM professionals will select regional winners based on criteria including innovative ideas and a questioning and answering session with the judges. For the first time ever this year, as regional finalist teams, each student will receive an additional $1,000 in U.S. EE Savings Bonds, valued at maturity.

"The U.S. Army is excited and pleased with the hard work presented by the regional finalist teams," said Louie R. Lopez, Program Manager for eCYBERMISSION. "This was no easy challenge to take on and all of the teams' projects this year have set the bar high for future eCYBERMISSION competitions."

"Each year, we are awed by the ingenuity and passion students bring to the competition," said Dr. Juliana Texley, NSTA President. "These extraordinary students are tackling real issues and developing solutions that could benefit their local communities and the world around them. We join the U.S. Army in congratulating the regional finalists on their inspiring work and commend all the team advisors for encouraging and suporting their students while helping to expand their knowledge and vision."

In the next round of the STEM competition, a panel of virtual judges will take the top score from regional finalist teams in each grade in each of the five regions to advance as one of 20 regional winners. All 20 regional winning teams move on to compete as national finalists at the National Judging and Educational Event (NJ&EE). National finalists also receive $2,000 in U.S. EE Savings Bonds, valued at maturity. NJ&EE is an all-paid expenses trip taking place June 15-19, 2015 in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

For more information about the competition, visit www.ecybermission.com, or by following eCYBERMISSION on Twitter, Facebook, or by contacting eCYBERMISSION Mission Control at 1-866-GO-CYBER (462-9237) or via email [email protected].

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.

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