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                         October 4, 2002

Army launches Web-based science competition

WASHINGTON (Army News Service) -- If America’s middle schoolers accept the Army’s challenge to compete in it’s new Web-based science, math and technology competition, the nation’s future pool of scientists, mathematicians and engineers should swell.

"Accept the challenge" is the tagline for eCybermission. Senior Army leaders launched the education initiative at Edgar Allen Poe Middle School in Annandale, Va., Tuesday.

"In America, so many of the privileges and comforts we enjoy were made possible through advances in math, in science, in engineering, and in the technologies they enable," Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric K. Shinseki said. "From the automobile to the space shuttle, from the telegraph to the Internet, our progress has been marked by leadership and innovation in the disciplines of math, science and engineering. Incredibly, however, there seems to be decreasing interest in these subjects."

Shinseki cited statistics of a shrinking science and technology workforce -- 45 percent of that pool is more than 45 years old, 19 percent is eligible for retirement and 35 percent will be eligible for retirement within the next five years. eCybermission is about reversing that trend, he said.

The Army began working on the eCybermission concept about a year and a half ago when Shinseki told his staff he wanted the Army to support the president’s push to stimulate youth interest in math, science and technology, according to Suzanne Carlton, a special assistant to the chief. He wanted to give something back to the communities producing the young men and women in the Army, she said.

"This competition is not your standard, typical science fair competition that is geared for just the best and the brightest students," Carlton said. "It is inclusive of a broad range of students, whether they makes As or Cs or whatever their background is. It is about showing that science, math and technology are a part of their daily lives and stimulating their interest to learn more about those areas."

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisitions, Logistics and Technology and Army contractor Booz-Allen & Hamilton developed and implemented the eCybermission concept.

Teams of three to four seventh- or eighth-graders start by registering online at www.ecybermission.com and then selecting a project that impacts their local community. Categories include Health and Safety, Arts and Entertainment, Sports and Recreation or the Environment.

Teams to collaborate online through the use of a secure instant messaging system. Volunteer CyberGuides provide online assistance by guiding users to research material online, answering questions and keeping the students on target.

The Army conducted a beta test of the program last spring. Forty-one teams from seven school districts participated.

The winning project of that test was about building safer swimming pools through the use of polyethylene tiles inside pools to avoid abrasions, polyvinyl around pools to soak up water and avoid slippery surfaces, and underwater cameras to allow lifeguards to see anyone who might be having problems under the surface.

"We heard about the competition last year from our science teacher," said Ashley Post, a member of the Frost Middle School, Fairfax, Va., winning team. "Summer was coming so pools and swimming was on our minds. The online project was a lot of fun."

Other members of the beta test winning team included Gwendolyn Yao, Rachel Solomon and Sue Xue.

Registration for this year’s competition opened Tuesday and runs through Nov. 28. Judging of projects will occur in May.

Project scores will be determined based upon four weighted categories: application of science, math and technology -- 40 percent; Innovation, Originality and Creativity -- 20 percent; Benefit to the Community -- 20 percent; and Collaboration and Communication -- 20 percent.

The competition is open to seventh- and eighth-graders in public and private schools, those being home schooled, and from overseas Department of Defense schools.

Prizes range from a $2,000 savings bond per team member for category winners to a $5,000 savings bond per team member of the national winner. Regional team members get a $3,000 savings bond each.

Those not interested in competing in an online math, science and technology competition can still have fun with eCYBERMISSION’s Mission Max section, Carlton said.

Mission Max is a Web-based interactive game that has players explore a range of planets. As players explore, they are exposed to different problems that require the use of math, science or technology to solve.

For more information click on "eCYBERMISSION --Accept the Challenge" on the Army Homepage at www.army.mil.