program is workingto increase stu- dent interest in science and tech- nology by giving young people an opportunity to makea difference in their communities. Organized into teams, students are using STEM (science, technol- ogy, engineering and math) to develop solutions to real-world challenges. That's the word from the pro- gram’s sponsor—the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP). The primary vehicle for the U.S. Army is designed to spur student interest in science, tech- middle-school students is the eCy- nology, engineering and mathematics—also known as STEM. A Resource For Teachers The program, which is admin- portunities for active learning and accomplishing this objective with BERMISSION program. istrated by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), is an online learning competition designed to promoteself-discovery and help students recognize reallife applications of STEM. Teams from all over the coun- try propose solutions to real prob- lems in their communities using the scientific method or the engineering design process and com- The competition provides op- engagement. Some teachers use the program as an after-school or extracurricular club activity, while others integrate the competition into their lesson plans. There are also full-time professionals who volunteer in the eCyBERMISSION competition and pro- vide students with assistance based on their area of expertise. They assist teams with their pro- pete for state, regional and jects, review and score them, and Each team comprises three or four students plus one adult team place and in the community. national awards. adviser. Students must be U.S. citizens or legal U.S. residents help promote the competition with students, teachers, at the workLooking Toward The Future The United States Army has and must. be officially enrolled at long recognized that a scientifi- home school, or at a Department citizenry is our nation’s best hope a U.S.-based public, private or cally and technologicallyliterate of Defense Education Activity for a secure, rewarding and suc(DoDEA)school abroad. cessful future. This and its other regional and national level, with ated with this in mind. Students can win on state, national winning teams receiving up to $8,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds, valued at maturity. The registration deadline for the competition is Wednesday, January 15, 2014. programs for students were cre- For more information, visit www.ecybermission.com or contact eCYBERMISSION Mission Control at 1-866-GO-CYBER (462-9237) or via e-mail at missioncontrol@ ecybermission.com.
