Problem Busters: Energy Brigade

For Academic Secondary Students

Application Form Program Descriptions

Science is fun!

Working together

View Page in Spanish (via Google Translate)

June 10 - 15

Sample Class Report

Problem solving skills are an essential part of being independent and successful. In this class, student teams will participate in a series of hands-on problem solving activities based on science, engineering and technology projects. Students will practice innovative problem solving as they explore the science behind how things work. They will work interactively with the instructors and one another as they learn the steps in the design process such as identifying problems, innovating creative solutions, evaluating different ideas, building prototypes, testing designs, and presenting the results. They will have a product release show and demonstration on stage on the last day of class.

This is the third summer of our highly successful Problem Busters series. Students who participated in prior years are welcome to apply again. In 2010, students designed projects involving mechanical components such as gears, pulleys and levers. In 2011, they built and tested racing robots and learned about features of complex mechanical systems. This year, student teams will participate in design-and-build projects involving the understanding and harnessing of various forms of energy. They will design devices to harness sustainable energy sources to perform useful tasks. They will also work side-by-side with university engineering students and faculty to develop new assistive technologies for visually impaired scientists and engineers.

A student doesn’t have to want to be an engineer or scientist to love this class! The problem-solving skills learned will be of benefit in any future endeavors.

The class will be co-taught by a TSBVI science teacher of the visually impaired and Dr. Cris Schwartz, from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University.

Note: Students with a special interest in science may wish to apply for both the Problem Busters and Space Weather classes.

For information about program content, contact
Margaret Robinson
(512) 206-9476.
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For information about the application process, contact
Cathy Olsen
(512) 206-9182
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