The Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Materials Science hosted a JETS® (Junior Engineering Technical Society) TEAMS competition in Missouri State University’s Kemper Hall on Saturday, March 7, 2009, from 8:00am to 1:30pm. TEAMS is an acronym for Test of Engineering Aptitude in Math and Science. Fifty-one area high school students from Kickapoo and Hillcrest High Schools in Springfield and Nixa High School in Nixa, Missouri, competed in a themed competition designed to test their applied technical skills. The high school physics teachers accompanied their students. The teachers included Kickapoo’s Eric Wilbur, Hillcrest’s Matt McPheeters, and Nixa’s Michelle Wityk. Two teams from Nixa High School placed first and second in the competition, while a team from Kickapoo High School received third place honors.The JETS® organization provides programs and resources that let students explore, assess, and experience engineering and physical science firsthand. The theme of this year’s competition was “behind the scenes of theme parks.” Assessment questions tested students’ skills in designing and building thrill rides and activities within the scope of the contest theme. Participants were given advance information and allowed to research and explore various scenarios in preparation for the TEAMS event.The Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Materials Science (PAMS) was represented by department head Pawan Kahol, physics professor Bill Thomas, administrative assistant Laura Rios, laboratory supervisor Randy Teye-Mensah, and graduate assistant Yogini Dhopade. Engineering program director Doug Carroll proctored several of the exams during the competition, and Dr. Tamera Jahnke was on hand to greet the high school participants and assist in the awards ceremony. In addition, three undergraduate students attended and talked about the value of practical education in technology areas. Student speakers included physics majors Kevin Bechtold and Jeff Doak, as well as engineering student Timothy Schoenhoff.
“This is our first JETS® TEAMS competition here at Missouri State University,” said Dr. Pawan Kahol, “But it certainly won’t be the last. I can see this event getting much bigger next year.” “Having this event in Springfield is great!” stated Nixa physics teacher Michelle Wityk. In the past, area schools traveled to St. Louis or Columbia to take part in a TEAMS competition. Local high schools will now be able to take part without traveling a long distance. Students expressed enthusiasm and enjoyed door prizes such as T-shirts and flash drives. The first, second, and third place teams received trophies.