secme.jpgLANTANA — Nearly seven hundred students from 51 schools recently participated in the 2013 Palm Beach County SECME Elementary Olympiad at Santaluces High School in Lantana.

SECME’s mission is to increase the pool of historically underrepresented and underserved students who will be prepared to enter and complete post-secondary studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), thus creating a diverse and globally competitive workforce.

The Overall District Winners were: first place, Roosevelt Elementary School; second Place, Del Prado Elementary; third place, Timber Trace Elementary; honorable mention, Galaxy Elementary

The following schools placed in individual events, in order:

Essay: Freedom Shores Elementary – Allison Jobin; Del Prado Elementary – Omkar Pansare; Binks Forest Elementary – Ashley Kulberg; Marsh Pointe Elementary – Christian Chavez

Poem: Roosevelt Elementary – Chris Rocha; Pine Jog Elementary – Christian Decker; Beacon Cove Intermediate – Joel Yearick; Highland Elementary – Alexandra Castellon

Banner: Roosevelt Elementary; Diamond View Elementary; Del Prado
Elementary; Timber Trace Elementary

Poster: Timber Trace Elementary – Kinsley Smith; Pierce Hammock Elementary – Lucas Bean; South Grade Elementary – Natali Uriostequi; Rolling Green Elementary – Anthony Beltran

Water Rocket: Galaxy Elementary – Rocket Racers; Pahokee Elementary – Pioneers; Crystal Lakes Elementary – Bobcat Flyers; Rolling Green Elementary – Dragon Master

Mousetrap Car:  Morikami Park Elementary – Trappers; Marsh Pointe Elementary – In Memory; Roosevelt Elementary – Minny’s Space Rover; Marsh Pointe Elementary – Not Forgotten

Bridges: Poinciana Elementary – Mad Panda A; Everglades Elementary – Panther ”Paw”ssible; Marsh Pointe Elementary – Balsa Builders; Beacon Cove Intermediate – Team Yellow

Brain Bowl: Palm Beach Gardens Elementary; Waters Edge Elementary; H.L. Johnson Elementary; Hidden Oaks Elementary

Generator Build (new for 2013): Freedom Shores Elementary; Timber Trace Elementary; Equestrian Trails Elementary; Calusa Elementary

The winning essay from Freedom Shores Elementary School will be entered in the SECME National Student Competition in June 2013.  The winning mousetrap car from Morikami Park Elementary will also be recognized at the SECME National Competition.
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ECME was founded in 1975 by the engineering deans from seven Southeastern universities: Alabama, Florida, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Tennessee, Tennessee State, and Tuskegee.

SECME competitions began in Palm Beach County with five schools in 1985.

Today SECME is a nonprofit alliance that extends to 40 school systems, 39 major engineering universities, industries and agencies in 15 states, the District of Columbia, and the Bahamas.

For more information contact Bruce Wear, SECME District Coordinator, at 561-357-1125 or bruce.wear@palmbeachschools.org