STEM Competitions

TAME is looking forward to a return to in-person Divisional STEM Competitions beginning in January 2022. However, we are aware that conditions can change and will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic closely.

TAME strongly recommends that Divisional STEM Competition participants be vaccinated against COVID-19 where possible, and plan to wear masks during the event.

We will be hosting the TAME State STEM Competition virtually, as overnight travel creates increased risk for students and chaperones, and many districts are still restricting field trips.

The safety of all participants in our events is important to the TAME Team.

The Divisional STEM Competitions are open to 6-12 grade students in eligible TAME Clubs.

To participate in the 2022 TAME Divisional Competitions, you need to have registered with an eligible TAME Club by November 1, 2021.  We are not able to add students who registered late to the Competition Roster.

Beginning November 1, the TAME State Office has been reaching out to the individual Club Sponsors to confirm whether their TAME Club plans to attend the local Divisional STEM Competition.  If you have not heard from your TAME Club Sponsor about the date or other plans for your competition, please talk to them to make sure they are planning for your club to attend.  If you are a TAME Club Sponsor and have not heard from the State Office regarding this year’s Divisional STEM Competition, email programs@tame.org to confirm your TAME Club’s eligibility and intent to participate.

Students from different TAME Clubs throughout the Chapter meet up to solve problems, connect with their peers, and explore STEM through a variety of activities developed by the TAME State Office and local Chapter leaders.

This year, the multiple choice Math and Science tests have been removed to make way for an expanded Engineering Design Challenge in which teams of students will collaborate to design and build their solution to a real-world engineering problem.

TAME appreciates the value of hard work and practice in success. To help our students better prepare for our annual STEM Competitions, TAME provides past Engineering Design Challenges, Engineering Adventure activities, and advice on competing like a scientist.

You do not need to prepare a project ahead of time; the Engineering Design Challenge requirements and all materials will be provided at the Divisional STEM Competition.

If you’d like to practice for the Engineering Design Challenge, TAME’s Blog features Engineering Adventures, and you can visit TAME’s Engineering Activity board on Pinterest for design challenge ideas that you can practice with friends in the classroom or try with your family in your own living room.

The Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME) is committed to providing accessible activities and events.  We know that to do so we may need to make reasonable and necessary accommodations to our STEM Competition structure.  We have developed a formal policy regarding academic accommodation requests to ensure that they are handled consistently.

Accommodation requests must be submitted to the TAME State Office by a Club Sponsor, no later than thirty days before the event.  Please read the full policy here before submitting a request.

Students in all clubs that participated in one of our Divisional Competitions are invited to the State STEM Competition.

This year, due to the pandemic, TAME has chosen to present our State event virtually.  The risks of overnight and bus travel presented a real concern for the safety of our students, and many districts are still restricting longer field trips.

All clubs who participated in one of our Divisional Competitions will be invited. Students will work on a collaborative Engineering Design Challenge with other students in their clubs leading up to the competition.

The State Competition will be packed with inspiring speakers, incredible door prizes for individuals and clubs, exciting activities, celebrations, and an overabundance of smiles and laughter!

Results will be posted to the TAME website as soon as possible after each event. Please see our Competition Schedules & Results page for updates.

TAME activities are free to students. There is no fee to register or compete in STEM Competitions.  All STEM Competition materials, will be provided at the events.  A lunch or other meal will also be provided at in-person events.

In fairness to all students, it is TAME policy that all participants must take part in all the scheduled events of the STEM Competition. You must participate in the activities for your Divisional STEM Competition on its scheduled day. Students who do not participate in the full Divisional STEM Competition may not be eligible to attend the State STEM Competition.

We understand there may be schedule conflicts and ask that students make a choice between other plans and the STEM Competition, rather than trying to do both. This is to ensure a level playing field and consistent experience for all our students.

Students who ignore this policy may be disqualified from the STEM Competition.

Some Divisional STEM Competitions have enough room for parents or other family members to attend the awards ceremony at the end of the day and celebrate their students, but not all of them have sufficient seating or facilities.  Check with your TAME Club Sponsor, and the Competition Coordinator, before making plans to attend a Divisional STEM Competition.  To avoid distracting the students, family members are not allowed to observe the Engineering Design Challenge.

Food, t-shirts, and other supplies will not be provided for anyone but students, chaperones, and registered volunteers.

Due to limited space and safety constraints, parents/guardians, family, and spectators are not able to attend the State STEM Competition. This allows us to ensure the security of all participants and efficiently manage the virtual space.

Family at home can watch the action unfold in real time as TAME live-tweets photos, videos, and updates about the event. Follow TAME on Twitter and Instagram and cheer on TAME students with #LonestarSTEM.

If you have more questions, ask your Club Sponsor or your Chapter Lead. You can also email programs@tame.org for more information.