The 2021 Golden Triangle/Valley Consolidated Divisional STEM Competition was hosted virtually over Whova and Zoom on Saturday, February 6, 2021. More than 60 student competitors from across the region attended the free event.
Texas students from grades 6-12 competed in teams to solve an all-virtual Engineering Design Challenge. Participants were sworn to secrecy about the Challenge – at least until February 28th, when students across the state had their chance to try their skills solving the same problem. This year’s challenge was developed by engineers from ConocoPhillips.
The Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME) is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing Texas students to join a strong and diverse STEM workforce. TAME programs encourage students to build skills and explore STEM concepts through hands-on activities, TAME Clubs, and statewide and divisional STEM Competitions.
The top six teams from the Engineering Design Challenge were recognized. Three teams also received a special Judges’ Choice Award for teamwork and creative problem solving. All students on the top two teams will be invited to participate in the Virtual State STEM Competition on April 24, 2021. Invitations will be sent out in March to students who qualify to participate.
Thanks to the support of TAME’s 2021 Statewide STEM Competition sponsor ConocoPhillips, STEM Competitions across Texas are offered free of charge for all participants. TAME thanks our 2021 Awards Sponsor Halliburton, and our Golden Triangle STEM Competition Sponsor ExxonMobil.
The first special presentation at the event featured Artis Brown, Fuels Executive of ExxonMobil who shared his path to a STEM career that took him across the world. Next Dr. Karen Lozano, Director of Nanotechnology at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley spoke about her own career path and the inspiration for her award-winning patent, the industrial production of nanofibers by Forcespinning® technology. Both presenters took questions from students, and shared words of encouragement.
We are especially grateful to the Golden Triangle Chapter Chair and TAME Advisory Board Member Annie Carter and GT TAME Competition Coordinators Dawn Battiest and Steed Amegbor, and the Valley Chapter Chair and Competition Coordinator Marcos Villarreal of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Valley Competition Coordinator Nelinda Villarreal of Edinburg ISD. We would also like to thank our dedicated TAME Club Sponsors, and the many volunteers from ExxonMobil, Harris County Engineering Department, Lamar University, Lockheed Martin, Motiva, National Society of Black Engineers, Rice University, The United States Coast Guard, The University of Texas at Austin, and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Thank you for celebrating achievement in STEM and making learning fun and exciting for Texas students.
More information on TAME’s annual STEM Competitions can be found here. See more about TAME’s plan for the 2020-21 school year. Want to get involved in planning local and statewide TAME events? Learn more here.
Congratulations to all our hardworking competitors!
A screenshot from the Welcome Ceremony of the 2021 Golden Triangle/Valley STEM Competition.
PARTICIPANTS
The following TAME Clubs participated in the event:
| Club Name | TAME Chapter |
| Abraham Lincoln Middle School | GT TAME |
| Beaumont United High School | GT TAME |
| Elias Longoria MS Robotics Club | Valley |
| Lamar University TAME Club | GT TAME |
| Marshall Middle School | GT TAME |
| Memorial 9th Grade Academy | GT TAME |
| ML King, Jr. Middle School | GT TAME |
| Vanguard Mozart Secondary | Valley |
| West Orange Stark Middle School | GT TAME |
ENGINEERING DESIGN CHALLENGE RESULTS
The six top scoring teams were recognized with awards. All students on the top two teams will be invited to participate in the Virtual State STEM Competition on April 24, 2021.
| 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | 4th Place | 5th Place | 6th Place |
| Team 12 | Team 10 | Team 6 | Team 9 | Team 5 | Team 13 |
| Team name: Witch Drillers | Team name: MCHAS | Team name: Rodo Birds | Team name: Miners | Team name: Fantastic Five | Team name: Team Engineers |
| Aaron Ibanez | Ashlyn Gonzalez | Aaron Graca Dos Santos-McCue | Andrew Ma | Alisia Rosas | Alexis Robles |
| Charles Robinson | Conner Lloyd | Brandon Oceguera | Deshawnn Vital | Joanna Vargas | King Lopez |
| Francisco Huerta | Harleen Singh | Darian Hardin | Dominick Enriquez | Parth Patel | Rai’lynn Andrews |
| Karena Starks | Monica Cortez | Samantha Enriquez | Melodie Aranda | Ridge Syas | Saad Mohammed |
| Victoria Knight | Sarah Tabrez | Sophia Barajas | Selah De Leon |
JUDGES’ CHOICE AWARDS
Because STEM fields rely on creative problem solving, three Judges’ Choice Awards were presented to teams who communicated well to create a strong strategy, and who prioritized creativity and teamwork.
| Judges’ Choice | Judges’ Choice | Judges Choice |
| Team 3 | Team 8 | Team 2 |
| Team name: The 4Ships | Team name: 2Legit2Quit | Team name: Tokyo |
| Chloie Mendiola | Brianna Angrum | Aldo Valadez |
| Her’Mayia Washington | Dulce Cantu | Herman Washington |
| Luis Ramirez | Felipe Hernandez | Kyara Cavazos |
| Michael Rodriguez | German Salazar | Zariah Walker |
| Oscar Rivera |
Thanks to our Sponsors!
Statewide Sponsor
Statewide Awards Sponsor
Regional Presenting Sponsor
Corporate & Foundation Sponsors
ExxonMobil, Google, Howmet Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, Permian Basin Area Foundation, PPG, Rackspace, Silicon Labs, and Xcel Energy
Higher Education Partners
Angelo State University, Odessa College, Texas Tech University, University of Houston, The University of Texas at Austin, and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
