Student Organization/Competitions

Nine West Leyden and Six East Leyden top-ten awards at the FBLA Northern Area Leadership Conference on January 23rd at Warren Township High School in Gurnee, Illinois.

January 23, 2016: The West and East Leyden High School chapters of Future Business Leaders of America today announced results from the FBLA Northern Area Leadership Conference held at Warren Township High School on Saturday January 23rd.

Over 700 members from 15 FBLA chapters from northern Illinois were in attendance.  The conference included activities in personal development, business and leadership training, election of 2016-2017 area officers, and competitive events.

VEX Robotics

The VEX Robotics Design System offers students an exciting platform for learning about areas rich with career opportunities spanning science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). These are just a few of the many fields students can explore by creating with VEX Robotics technology. Beyond science and engineering principles, a VEX Robotics project encourages teamwork, leadership and problem solving among groups. It also allows educators to easily customize projects to meet the level of students’ abilities.

Construction Challenge Destination Imagination

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers and presenting sponsor Volvo Construction Equipment are working with Destination ImagiNation, Inc. to provide students a hands-on, real-world experience that will inspire them to explore and pursue careers in the construction industry.

Engineering Design Challenges

The Engineering Design Challenges Program connects students in their classrooms with the challenges faced by NASA engineers as they design the next generation of space vehicles, habitats and technology. Middle and High School students work on design challenges with their teachers. These design challenges help students achieve national goals in science, mathematics, and thinking skills.

The Design Challenges Program is managed by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center Academic Affairs Office in Huntsville, Alabama. The web site and design challenges were created in collaboration withTERC.

FIRST Robotics

Our mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.

Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS)

Students will learn how they can apply math and science concepts in ways that make a tangible difference in the world; increase their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) literacy and practice this knowledge in a fun extra-curricular program; understand how engineering makes everyday life possible by solving pressing social and community problems.

MATHCOUNTS

The MATHCOUNTS Competition Program provides the extra incentive and the perfect atmosphere for students to push themselves to achieve more in mathematics.  Consisting of fun and creative problems that promote critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, the MATHCOUNTS competitions have written and oral rounds, as well as individual and team components.  Though challenging and non-routine, the competition problems focus on the 6th through 8th grade standards of the National Council of Teachers in Mathematics.

Real World Design Challenge

The Real World Design Challenge (RWDC) is an annual high school competition run by a public-private partnership with the goal of sustainably increasing the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workforce. The partners are focused on working within the context of the American educational system to transform STEM education in the United States by providing professional science and engineering and learning resources to students and teachers.

The RWDC began in 2008 through a partnership between industry, government, academia, and non-profit. The partners were committed to bringing a program to schools that brought professional engineering resources into the classroom, was free to participate in, and could scale to every school in the United States. The partners brought together $263 million in resources and began working with governors to build an infrastructure of states to scale across the United States. The first year, ten states participated. And we have added states every year.

Every teacher that participates in the RWDC gets $1 million in professional engineering software along with training, curriculum materials, and access to mentors. Teams of 3-7 high school students use these resources to solve an engineering challenge that is currently faced by industry.

Science Olympiad Middle & High School 

For the past 27 years, Science Olympiad has led a revolution in science education. What began as a grassroots assembly of science teachers is now one of the premiere science competitions in the nation, providing rigorous, standards-based challenges to nearly 6,000 teams in 50 states.

Google Science Fair

The Google Science Fair is an online science and engineering competition open to students ages 13 to 18 from around the globe. It encourages them to change the world through scientific inquiry and problem solving. They’ll learn about their chosen topic and develop key skills along the way.

Educational Competitions are engaging, long-term experiences that inspire and motivate students, educators, and entire communities. They provide professional development opportunities for educators, volunteer activities for community or industry members, and real-world connections for the students involved.

There are 6 common types of educational competitions (Exams, Tournaments, Fairs, Performances, Presentations, and Submissions), each with unique strengths and weaknesses that may be used to help transform learning into an exciting opportunity for all students.

Solve for Tomorrow

Designed to boost interest and proficiency in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM), this nationwide contest challenges public school teachers and students in grades 6–12 to show how STEAM can be applied to help improve their local community.

Submissions Aug—Oct. 1st round Nov-Dec. 2nd round Dec—Feb.

Breakthrough Junior Challenge

Kids ages 13–18 can submit a big scientific idea in fundamental physics, life sciences or mathematics in video form. (Excellent for TV/Broadcast or STEM programs.)

AdCap Challenge

Your high school students can win up to $35,000 in scholarships and prizing for their smart ideas on topics like sustainability, food insecurity, the impact of technology and more.

Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge

The Youth Design Challenge (YDC) is a free hands-on, project-based learning experience that provides classroom and informal educators with a new framework to introduce biomimicry and an interdisciplinary lens on science and environmental literacy. Working in teams with an adult coach, middle and high school students explore the wonders of natural world and apply what they learn to create innovations that support a healthier planet. Opens in the fall.