April 13, 2024

On STEM Challenge Day, learning is a team sport!

Some 200 students representing every school in EUSD spent Saturday morning tackling math, science, and technology challenges at the third annual STEM Challenge Day at Rincon Middle School. Hundreds of family members supported from the sidelines, along with EUSD teachers and staff members.

three girls sitting at table working on math problems Teams of 5th- and 8th-graders trained for weeks to compete in a variety of STEM tasks, including logic puzzles, coding, drones, Arduino circuitry, and robotics. And throughout the training, students learn that collaboration and critical thinking are just as essential as the technical skills and knowledge.

drones obstacle course indoors, two girls holding ipads and controller EUSD teacher-coaches work with their team members to practice performance tasks in math, such as problem solving, estimation, strategy, and logic puzzles; science, such as interpreting data from light waves; and coding, including graph paper programming. In addition, engineering activities are led by our partners from Treobytes, a nonprofit that supports STEM education in underserved communities. Treobytes coaches meet with school teams for nine weeks, providing instruction in robotics with RoboMaster S1 devices; engineering, including designing an Arduino-based project; and drones, using coding, AI, facial recognition, and more.

two boys working with circuitry Congratulations to all of the participants, and special thanks to teachers, coaches, and support staff who came together to make STEM Challenge Day 2024 a success! Here are the winning teams:

5th grade Math and Science: First place, Bernardo; Second Place, Reidy Creek; Third Place, Miller.
8th grade Math and Science: First place, Quantum Academy; Second Place, Del Dios Academy, Third Place, Hidden Valley.
5th grade Robotics: First place, Miller; Second Place, Glen View; Third Place, Rock Springs.
8th grade Engineering: First place, Bear Valley; Second Place, Rincon; Third place, Quantum Academy.
5th grade Drones: First place, North Broadway; Second Place, Reidy Creek; Third Place, Quantum Academy.

Now in its third year, STEM Challenge Day is a reimagining of EUSD’s long-running Math Field Day.

Reidy Creek Elementary

STEM Challenge Day Adds Up to Smart Fun