What is eCYBERMISSION?

Visit www.ecybermission.com to learn more!46

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eCYBERMISSION is a free, web-based, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competition for students in grades six through nine attending any U.S. or Department of Defense Education Activity school. eCYBERMISSION challenges students to think about real-world applications of STEM by working in teams to identify a problem in their community and use the scientific method, scientific inquiry or engineering design process to find a solution. Students compete for state, regional and national awards, with potential winnings of up to $8,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds.

Why does the U.S. Army sponsor eCYBERMISSION? » Army leadership recognizes the fundamental importance of STEM fields to our global competitiveness and national security, and strives to increase the number of students studying these subjects nationwide.

» The Army would like to provide all students with the opportunity to explore the possibilities of STEM careers.

Who can compete in eCYBERMISSION? » Teams must include three or four students from the same grade and state, as well as an adult Team Advisor.

» Team members can be from private, public or home schools, as well as from after-school programs and extracurricular organizations.

How does eCYBERMISSION work? » Teams select a Mission Challenge, identify a real problem in their community, use scientific inquiry to propose a solution and submit a Mission Folder, the official write-up of their project, via the eCYBERMISSION web site.

» Virtual Judges, Volunteers who have a background or interest in STEM or education, objectively review and score the Mission Folders to identify State Winning Teams.

» From the First Place State Winning Teams, a Regional Judging Panel will determine the Regional First Place Teams from each grade, who will then compete at the National Judging and Educational Event (NJ&EE) in the Washington Metropolitan Area in mid-June.

» At NJ&EE, each First Place Regional Winning Team presents its project to a live panel of National Judges who then determine the four National Winners in each grade.

Role Description

Minimum Estimated

Time Commitment

Individual with an Active

Security Clearance

Individual with a Satisfactory Federal Background Check

General Public with an interest

or background in STEM or education

AmbassadorPromote eCYBERMISSION in their communities

August – June � �

CyberGuide

Provide interactive assistance to students via the eCYBERMISSION Web-site

August – February �

Team Advisor

Assist student teams with registration and provide guidance throughout project development

August – February �

Virtual Judge*Evaluate and score Team Mission Folders via the eCYBERMISSION Web-site

March �

Incorporating eCYBERMISSION into Your Curriculum

eCYBERMISSION Milestones

eCYBERMISSION is an excellent teaching tool to help all students learn the real-life applications of STEM, and can be incorporated into classroom or home school curriculum or used as an extracurricular activity. Students apply their studies in the following areas when completing an eCYBERMISSION project.

SCIENCEAcquire data and information, sequence and classify information, communicate and interpret scientific data, make inferences, form generalized statements and develop predictions.

TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTER SKILLSConduct research online and collaborate using moderated Discussion Forums, Chat Rooms, Instant Messaging and webinars.

ENGINEERINGUse a basic understanding of physical sciences, construction and geometry, as well as have the ability to design concepts and processes in their research and experimentation.

MATHEMATICSDevelop a solid command of mathematical concepts, such as probability, statistics and algebraic equations while conducting experiments and fully interpreting data.

WRITINGDemonstrate proper English and sentence construction, and be able to proofread for grammar, spelling and punctuation to present data and conclusions in a manner that is clear and coherent to the reader.

Resources for Team Advisors and VolunteersMission Control Help Desk 1-866-GO-CYBER (462-9237) or missioncontrol@ecybermission.com Mission Control is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET) Monday – Friday and will have extended hours during key milestones of the competition.

User Guides Team Advisor, Ambassador, CyberGuide and Virtual Judge User Guides explain their respective roles and provide guidance on carrying out their responsibilities.

Team Advisor’s Best Practices Guide This guide shares lessons learned and strategies from previous Team Advisors that will help both new and returning Team Advisors successfully compete in the eCYBERMISSION competition.

Mission Folder TipsThroughout the competition year, registered Team Advisors receive tips from Mission Control to help them guide their teams through the scientific method and the Mission Folder process.

Army Educational Outreach Program The Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) is comprised of Army-sponsored research, education, competitions, internships and practical experiences designed to engage and guide students and teachers in STEM education. In addition to eCYBERMISSION, AEOP offers the following opportunities:

Kindergarten through Middle School Programs

» Mobile Discovery Center

» Junior Solar Sprint (JSS)

High School Programs

» Gains in the Education of Mathematics & Science (GEMS)

» Uninitiates Introduction to Engineering (UNITE)

» Science & Engineering Apprentice Program (SEAP)

» Research & Engineering Apprentice Program (REAP)

» International Science & Engineering Fair (INTEL-ISEF)

» Internships Science & Engineering Program (ISEP)

» Junior Science & Humanities Symposium (JSHS)

College Career Development Programs

» Women in Science Project (WISP)

» Science & Engineering Apprentice Program-College Qualified Leaders (SEAP-CQL)

» Career Related Experience in Science & Technology (CREST)

» Consortium Research Fellows Program (CRFP)

» Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation Defense Scholarship for Service Program (SMART)

For additional information about AEOP, applications and deadlines, please visit www.usaeop.com.

Learn More About eCYBERMISSION

For additional information about the eCYBERMISSION competition, please visit www.ecybermission.com or contact Mission Control at missioncontrol@ecybermission.com or 1-866-GO-CYBER (462-9237)

» ecybermission.blogspot.com

» youtube.com/ecybermissionteam

» twitter.com/ecybermission/

» facebook.com

» flickr.com/photos/ecybermission.com

CyberGuides CyberGuides are STEM experts that will respond to questions in moderated online Discussion Forums, Chat Rooms and Instant Messaging.

Interactive Webinar Series Throughout the competition year, eCYBERMISSION hosts several informative and interactive webinars for Volunteers, Virtual Judges, Team Advisors and students. Team Advisor and student webinars are presented by an experienced CyberGuide and feature an open Question and Answer session for personalized assistance with Mission Folders. In addition, individual team webinars are availabe upon request.

Social Media Resources eCYBERMISSION utilizes several social media sites, including the eCYBERMISSION Blog, YouTube, Twitter, Flickr and Facebook, to engage participants and provide useful tips, announce important program information and create an environment for networking.

Volunteer Opportunities

* In order to volunteer as a Virtual Judge, you may not register for any other Volunteer roles during the same competition year.

Teams conduct research and experiments

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