UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

The University of Texas at Tyler Innovation Academy Advances to National Technology Student Association Competition

May 15, 2017

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

LONGVIEW – A high school team from The University of Texas at Tyler Innovation Academy Longview campus has advanced to nationals in a competitive Technology Student Association competition, Dr. JoAnn Simmons, IA superintendent, announced.

Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics and Science, or TEAMS, is an annual TSA competition that gives students an opportunity to discover engineering and how that knowledge can help make a difference in the world.

The IA Longview campus TEAMS group placed fifth in Texas, advancing to this year's nationals set for June in Orlando.

"We are extremely proud of our 9th and 10th grade students who competed in the TEAMS competition: Tyler Blankenship, Janee Cordray, Elijah Craig, Esther Fajardo, Kyleigh Hackler, Russell Rinehart, Elena Scott and Elwynn Smart. These outstanding young people began collaborating this fall to prepare for this multi-faceted competition," said Rachel Hawkins, IA Longview campus director. "Through hard work and dedication, they placed fifth in the state, and their overall score earned them an invitation to compete nationally. We are excited about this unique opportunity."

This is the first time The University of Texas at Tyler has participated in the competition, where students work collaboratively to solve real-world engineering challenges and apply their math and science skills in practical, creative ways.

The TEAMS competition allowed the students to apply knowledge gained from the Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics focus of The University of Texas at Tyler Innovation Academy to multiple formats including an essay, multiple choice and a design challenge. For more information about the competition, visit http://teams.tsaweb.org.

The University of Texas at Tyler Innovation Academy is a public university charter school with campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine. Campuses incorporate STEM education into daily classroom curriculum and utilize a hands-on learning approach to better equip students with the 21st century skills required to succeed in the future. For more information, visit uttia.org/.

One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, The University of Texas at Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at The University of Texas at Tyler, which has an enrollment of almost 10,000 high-ability students. The University of Texas at Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.