FCPS Tech Fair

Early in the spring of every year, the FCPS CTE Curriculum Office hosts the county's Technology Fair. This year's event will be held at the Career & Technology Center (CTC). At the Tech Fair, middle school students from schools across the county compete to showcase knowledge and skills they've acquired at their home schools. Anywhere from two to four students are selected to represent the school in each of the seven events offered. Most events are partner or team events, but some students compete as individuals in others.

Tech Fair events, by grade level, are as follows:

6th grade (Tech Expo) - All Wound Up & Design Challenge
7th Grade (Comm Tech) - Gamestar Mechanic & Podcasting, (I&I) - Design Challenge
8th Grade (Problem Solving) - Straw Bridge Competition & Hovercraft
This year, new events are in the works for LAB21 and FACS classes.

My students have a fine tradition of success at the Tech Fair, including a dominating performance at last year's event. That is a credit to a solid CTE program, students who are among the best in the system and parents who support their children.

We will start talking about Tech Fair on day one of the school year. Look for invitations and permission slips to compete in late January.

During last year's event, students who placed in the top 3 were awarded 3D printed medallions (shown below), which were a big hit. I designed last year's medallion and plan on drafting a new design for this year's event. Wouldn't it be sweet for your son or daughter to pick up one of these?!

Maryland Engineering Challenges

For Problem Solvers who place well in the Hovercraft or Straw Bridge challenges at the Tech Fair, I will invite them to compete at the state competitions at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. During these competitions, which mirror those we complete in FCPS, students will have a chance to showcase their talents and compete against the top teams in the region. In addition to these events, the BMI also sponsors the Future City and Cargo Plane challenges.

Over the past four years, I have taken a number of teams to the BMI to compete, and we've brought home our share of accolades, including a 1st place finish in the Cargo Plane, a top 3 finish in the Straw Bridge and the best paper superlative in both 2015 & 2016.

Preparations for these events requires a great deal of time, but if there is an interest, I will support it!

Maryland Science Olympiad

Students who have a keen interest in science and engineering should consider checking out Science Olympiad.

In Science Olympiad, students have the chance to compete in 23 events from traditional study events to investigative events to building events. The SciOly team usually meets formally once a week from the beginning of the year and throughout the competitive season. The best Science Olympians, however, do a lot of prep on their own at home.

There are three tournaments on the schedule, starting with the FCPS Invitational in January. This is a smaller event and really serves to prepare county Science Olympians for the Central Maryland Regional tournament at College Park in February or March. Teams that do well at College Park earn the chance to compete at the state tournament as Johns Hopkins University in April.

All students are invited to participate, and parents are encouraged to help out. Thurmont has a quality program and typically brings home an impressive haul of medals and ribbons from each tournament. Interested students should contact their science teacher for more information.