The Penn High School Technical Student Association goes to a competition every year called TEAMS. This group of 8 people compete against other schools around the US. The latest was held on February 17th at Trine University.

Each year, the teams are given a question in engineering. This year’s question related to “The Power of Engineering” by using engineering to improve power-generation in our world. Each team of 8 students works on 8 topics related to the subject for that year.

After studying for months as a team, teams participate in a 3 hour, 2 part test. The first part of the test is 80 multiple choice questions that refer to “The Power of Engineering.” This section of the test gets scored on the day that the students take it. The regional awards are based on the scores they receive.

The Penn team got the highest score in their regional. This is the first time that the group has ever received this trophy in the 11/12 test, the senior division. In the past years they have earned 1st place in the 9/10 test, which is division 2.

The scores will go to state level with the second part of the test, which includes the 5 engineering scenarios that get graded. These 2 scores are combined to determine the state winners. The top 3 scores in each division are invited to the “Best in Nation” for TEAMS.

Last year the Penn team made it to 4th place in 9/10 division. Most of the 46 team members are interested in pursuing careers in engineering for college.

For more information about signing up for next year’s competition, students can see Mrs. Tagliaferri in room 236.

 

By Kevin McNulty

Kevin McNulty teaches English and Mass Media Studies at Penn High School. He advises the Penn News Network and manages the PNN Studio and news room. For more information, navigate your browser to www.massmediastudies.net.