Local organizations collaborate for Missouri STEM Week

Published: 03/16/2015

St. Charles Community College (SCC), General Motors (GM), Partners for Progress of Greater St. Charles (PfP), St. Charles Economic Development Center (EDC), Masterclock, Great Plains Math League and area schools participated in Missouri STEM Week, March 6-7, to provide resources to students interested in the field.

Events kicked off with the PfP STEM Celebration Breakfast hosted by the EDC on Friday, March 6. The schedule continued on that same day at SCC with the 17^th Annual GM Robotics Challenge. On Saturday, March 7, the college again played host to its 18^th Annual Math Tournament.

The PfP STEM Celebration Breakfast honored 17 local high school students for their achievements in science, technology, engineering and math. Students received recognition and listened to keynote speaker John Clark, a millennial business leader and the general manager of Masterclock, a high-tech company based in St. Charles.

“The PfP have been proudly promoting STEM since 2010 when we worked with state elected officials to have the first week of every March set aside as Missouri STEM Week,” said Greg Prestemon, president of the Partners for Progress of Greater St. Charles. “We believe that an emphasis on STEM today means jobs and success tomorrow.”

At the 17^th Annual GM Robotics Challenge, 41 teams from 32 middle schools and nine high schools participated – an increase in participation over last year’s event. Student teams used LEGO® MINDSTORMS® robotics kits and worked together to build a robot based on the challenge requirements. 

“Students are able to gain real-life skills they don’t necessarily get in a classroom environment at an event like this,” said Brian Steber, senior manufacturing engineer at GM Wentzville and challenge creator for the Robotics Challenge. “When creating the challenge, I try to imitate real life applications we use at the General Motors plant.”

Winfield High School teacher Diana Lehmkuhl said she continues to bring her students to the Robotics Challenge because they love it. “It’s fun and challenging for them,” said Lehmkuhl. “I let the students take the lead on the challenge because it’s really all about them and what they come up with.”

Winfield High School senior Leanne Ketchum said, “I like the robots and figuring out how they work. It’s fun for me.” 

“What’s so cool about the event is that I might have what I think is a great solution for something, yet the students come up with something entirely unique,” said Steber. “They are judged on teamwork and presentation, as well as the design and engineering.” 

Students also attended breakout sessions throughout the day, where they were introduced to topics such as animation, gaming and Rockwell Automation. 

First place teams were “The Cabinet” from St. Charles West High School in the Black Division; “Hex Tech” from Barnwell Middle School in the Gray Division; “Banana World, Inc.” from Barnwell Middle School in the Maroon Division; “The Tri-Forces” from Assumption School in the Blue Division; and “2 Squared + 1rV.2.0” from Bryan Middle School in the Green Division.

Second place teams were “Team Rocket” from St. Charles High School in the Black Division; “Android Hurricane” from Bryan Middle School in the Gray Division; “The Deathly Hallows” from Hardin Middle School in the Maroon Division; “MIKTZ Mechanics” from Barnwell Middle School in the Blue Divison; and “Team Alphabots” from Francis Howell Middle School in the Green Division. 

Third place teams were “Leg Godt” from Fort Zumwalt South High School in the Black Division; “Zytria” from Bryan Middle School in the Gray Division; “Queen of the Keyboard” from Francis Howell Middle School in the Maroon Division; “DERP Squad” from Hollenbeck Middle School and “LEGO my Eggo” from Barnwell Middle School (tied) in the Blue Division; and “Red Corvettes” from Assumption in the Green Division. 

On March 7, some 17 area high schools with 128 students competed at the 18^th Annual Math Tournament – more than double last year’s turnout – in cooperation with the Great Plains Math League. With the support of an SCC Foundation mini-grant, the registration fee was only $1 per student. “We were truly fortunate to see such healthy participation and, we look forward to seeing everyone at next year’s event,” said Joe Howe, SCC professor of mathematics.

Students took up to four tests during the math competition – both individual and team. “It’s great to see high school students attend and compete among their peers,” said Howe. “Many of these students will become STEM majors one day.”

Parkway Central High School finished first in the overall category with a score of 279.167; Clayton finished in second with 168 points; and Lutheran South High School finished third with a score of 146.5.

For more information on about the robotics challenge, contact Tammie De Los Santos at tdelossantos@stchas.edu. For more information about the math challenge, contact Howe at jhowe@stchas.edu. For more information about the PfP STEM Celebration Breakfast, contact Scott Drachnik at sdrachnik@edcscc.com.

St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit stchas.edu.