Congratulations to this year’s winners of AEOP’s eCYBERMISSION! More than 1,700 teams participated in this year’s competition, and only 20 advanced to the National Judging & Educational Event as National Finalists. During this week-long event, 77 National Finalists and STEM-In-Action Grant recipients in grades six to nine from across the country gathered in Chantilly, Virginia. From June 24-28, these young masterminds presented their science and engineering projects, showcased their STEM skills, connected with their peers, and learned from U.S. Army and Department of Defense scientists and engineers.

The event featured multiple days of immersive STEM activities. Highlights included a Department of Defense Workshop day, wherein scientists and engineers from across the Department of Defense conducted hands-on STEM workshops with the students. Participants test drove miniature military vehicle replicas with remote-controlled devices, learned the role of entomology in forensic science, and even taste-tested military MREs (Meal, Ready-to-Eat). Additionally, attendees interacted with STEM professionals at the STEM Pathways Information Fair, learning about the myriad of STEM opportunities available to them through the U.S. Army and Department of Defense, and learned about the U.S. Army Values from real U.S. Army Non-Commissioned Officers and Scientists & Engineers.

At the end of the week, the National Finalist teams presented their projects to a panel of judges, which included senior scientists and engineers from the Department of Defense and the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA). Following National Judging, students had the opportunity to present their project to family and friends during the National Showcase, which was livestreamed for viewers at home. Viewers also voted for a student to win the People’s Choice Award sponsored by NSTA. This year’s winner was Team Prescription Protectors (ninth grade, North Carolina)! 

The National Judging & Educational Event concluded with the Awards Ceremony, where the National Winner for each grade level was announced and celebrated. Each winning team member received $10,000 in U.S. EE Savings Bonds at maturity and national recognition.

Each year, eCYBERMISSION also recognizes one team during the Awards Ceremony that embodies the U.S. Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. This year’s Army Values Award winner was team Geriatric Robots (eighth grade, Illinois). 

The 22nd Annual eCYBERMISSION winners are: 

Momentum Charge – 6th Grade

Momentum Charge developed three wind turbine blade models and found that their Archimedes Spiral-inspired blade performed better than more modern designs for generating energy from wind.

The team is composed of students Cooper Daniel, Xander Gonzalez, Knox Stary, and Krue Stary and led by Team Advisor Laura Stary. They hail from Southcrest Christian School in Lubbock, Texas.

The Water Project – 7th Grade

The Water Project engineered a cholera-removing filter using cobs of maize, fabric, and a plastic bottle in hopes of helping provide clean water for the people of Malawi.

The team is composed of students Clara DuPlessie and Elliana Shahan and led by Team Advisor Beth DuPlessie. They are a homeschooled team hailing from Foxboro, Massachusetts.

The Scientists – 8th Grade

The Scientists studied the interest in and potential for AI educational initiatives in schools and assessed the accuracy of ChatGPT’s mathematical reasoning.

The team is composed of students Daniel Dao, Lawrence Dao, and Eian Pracht and led by Team Advisor Nancy Jackson. They hail from Lawrence Virtual School in Robinson, Kansas.

Team BioTech – 9th Grade

Team BioTech developed Respitronics, a wearable biomedical sensor that increases access to remote healthcare for patients with chronic lower respiratory disease.

The team is composed of students Emma Simmons and Sarah Simmons and led by Team Advisor Lisa McLeod-Simmons. They are a homeschooled team hailing from Fairfield, Pennsylvania.

Registration for the 2024-2025 eCYBERMISSION competition opens in the fall. To learn more about eCYBERMISSION, please visit www.ecybermission.com. eCYBERMISSION is an Army Educational Outreach Program STEM competition administered by the National Science Teaching Association.