PSU students place high at TEECA competition

  Wednesday, October 30, 2013 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

Pittsburg State University students in the newly-named Technology and Engineering Education Collegiate Association performed well this month at the southwest regional competition in Branson.

Five universities competed in the seven different technology-related events during the competition, which took place at part of the second annual ISEA-STEM Conference at the Branson Hilton Convention Center.

Pitt State students placed first in four events, while others placed either second or third in five others. Pitt State teams won the TEECA Challenge quiz bowl, Live Communication, Teaching Lesson and TEECA STEM Showcase events. Pitt State students also placed second in Teaching Lesson, TEECA STEM Showcase and Robotics events, while placing third in Problem Solving and Manufacturing.

“We were very pleased with our students’ performances,” said Andy Klenke, associate professor in the technology and workforce learning department and TEECA southwest regional coordinator. “There was strong competition this year, and our students were ready for the challenge.”

With the strong showing, the students will now prepare for the National TEECA competition, which takes place in March in Orlando, Fla.

The three-day ISEA-STEM Expo Conference featured more than 300 educators from across the nation for a series of workshops and breakout sessions on STEM topics. The attendance was three-times the amount of the inaugural conference in 2012.

“The excitement for this year’s conference was tremendous,” said Mike Neden, associate professor in Pitt State’s technology and workforce learning department and ISEA conference chair. “We had a wonderful turnout and many excellent sessions. This is a testament to the increasing importance of STEM nationwide.”