UH Hosts CSTEM Challenge Kick-off Event

The National CSTEM Challenge kick-off event will be held this Saturday at the University of Houston, where participating students from several states will find out about their problem-solving projects for the school year.

CSTEM Teacher and Student Support Services Inc. is a Houston-based organization that offers education support services in communication, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (CSTEM). The organization helps develop skilled students from underrepresented groups to increase their interest in related careers.

The challenge program allows students to develop their problem-solving skills in robotics, environmental responsibility, geographical information systems, art and creative writing. It also gives them opportunities to learn how their work affects other aspects of life and it teaches them environmental stewardship.

More than 50 teams of elementary, middle and high school students will participate in the challenge, which culminates with a competition April 16, 2011, at Houston's George R. Brown Convention Center.

At Saturday's event, which will be video-streamed live to Mississippi, Tennessee, Maryland, Michigan, Louisiana and the Dominican Republic, the CSTEM challenges will be unveiled, kits of materials and supplies will be distributed and students' questions will be answered.

The national competition is primarily supported by its title sponsors, Shell Oil Co. and Schlumberger, and a host of other supporters, which allow CSTEM to provide materials and supplies to students at no cost to participating schools.

For more information about CSTEM and Saturday's event, visit www.cstem.org.