11/29/16 lds/kb
HAYS, Kan. -- The 18 student competitors and three sponsors of Fort Hays State University's Technology and Engineering Education Collegiate Association chapter finished first in six events at the recent International STEM Education Association regional conference in Branson, Mo.

Individual FHSU competitors took another first and three other top-three spots in two photography contests.

FHSU's TEECA placed first in Live Manufacturing, Live Communications, Problem Solving, Teaching Lesson, Photography Challenge Original -- Edited and Robotics.

The competitors in the Southwest region were: Fort Hays State University, Pittsburg State University, Arkansas State University and Wayne State College.

"TEECA had a magnificent showing at this year's regional event, placing in eight of the nine competitive events and winning championships in six out of the eight competitive events," said Eric Deneault, assistant professor of applied technology.

Deneault, Kim Stewart, chair of the Department of Applied Technology, and Randy Jordan, assistant professor, were sponsors for the team. Stewart also accepted the Mike Neden STEM Champion Award at the conference.

Results of the conference are listed by event.

Live Manufacturing
This year's live manufacturing competition required students to design, manufacture and present a toy camera to the judges. Each team had to draft the part files as well as the jigs and fixtures used in production. Competitors had five hours from start to finish to develop the most efficient assembly line production run with the highest overall part quality. Representing FHSU on this team was Aaron Elsasser, McPherson senior; Wade Buck, Grinnell senior; Anthony Walters, Hays senior; Heather Cleveland, Gypsum senior; Dustin Braun, Clay Center senior; and Jackson Bjornstad, House Springs, Mo., senior.
Results:
1. Fort Hays State University
2. Pittsburg State University
3. Wayne State College

Live Communications
The live communications challenge was to develop a 60-second commercial, highlighting the value of STEM in education. Representing FHSU was Jack Gerstmann, Lincoln freshman; Morgan Gerstmann, Lincoln senior; Danea Buschkoeter, Campbell, Neb., sophomore; and Cleveland.
Results:
1. Fort Hays State University
2. Pittsburg State University

Problem Solving
The problem-solving challenge was to create a remote-operated drawbridge using materials provided on site. Each team was given a packet of materials: popsicle sticks, string, pulleys, electric motors and a foam board. Representing FHSU was Brady Hutchison, Hays sophomore; Tanner Swartz, Alexander senior; Joe Raat, Plainville freshman; and M. Gerstmann.
Results:
1. Fort Hays State University
2. Wayne State College
3. Pittsburg State University

Robotics Challenge
FHSU has enjoyed success in the robotics competition even though it has only recently begun to participate, starting with a team of freshmen two years ago. Since then, FHSU has received two regional first-place awards as well as second- and third-place national awards. This year's regional competition was to design, build and program a robot that could pick bananas from fake, low-hanging trees. FHSU swept the competition, picking 18 bananas in the finals to PSU's three. Representing FHSU was Davin Smith, Assaria junior; Devin Thomas, Russell sophomore; Cleveland and M. Gerstmann.
Results:
1. Fort Hays State University
2. Pittsburg State University
3. Wayne State College

Teaching Lesson
The teaching lesson competition is a major part of TEECA, providing the opportunity for prospective teachers to advance their teaching skills and test their methods against their peers. This year, the teaching lessons revolved around the topic of Pythagorean theorem. Fort Hays State University won two of the top three positions.
Results:
1. Fort Hays State University (Smith)
2. Wayne State College
3. Fort Hays State University (Bjornstad)

Photography Challenge - Edited
Results:
1. Fort Hays State University (Buschkoeter)
2. Pittsburg State University
3. Fort Hays State University (Cleveland)

Photography Challenge - Original
Results:
1. Pittsburg State University
2. Fort Hays State University (Buschkoeter)
3. Fort Hays State University (Cleveland)

Transportation
The transportation challenge was to use drones to drop a payload (a ping pong ball) onto a target for points based on accuracy. This challenge required drone operation skills as well as designing a lightweight attachment that could be used to pick up the cargo. Representing FHSU was Joshua Pounds, Concordia senior; Chase Mundell, Walsh, Colo., junior; Justin Underwood, Eudora junior; and Landon Fellhoelter, Ness City junior.
Results:
1. Pittsburg State University
2. Fort Hays State University
3. Fort Hays State University

Technology Challenge
The technology challenge is a quiz-bowl style event. Representing FHSU was M. Gerstmann, Raat, Underwood, Pounds, Smith, Swartz and Hutchison.
Results:
1. Pittsburg State University
2. Pittsburg State University
3. Wayne State College
4. Fort Hays State University

FHSU students will next compete at the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association national conference in Dallas from March 16 to March 18, 2017.