PROJECT SYNCERE RETURNED TO A FULL IN-PERSON EVENT FOR THE 6TH ANNUAL ENPOWERED GAMES AT WINTRUST ARENA PRESENTING "AWESOME AUTOMATIONS"


 

PROJECT SYNCERE RETURNED TO A FULL IN-PERSON EVENT FOR THE 6TH ANNUAL ENPOWERED GAMES AT WINTRUST ARENA PRESENTING "AWESOME AUTOMATIONS"


Project SYNCERE (Supporting Youth's Needs with Core Engineering Research Experiments), returned to a full in-person event at Wintrust Arena for its 6th Annual ENpowered Games engineering competition, with this year’s theme of "Awesome Automations".


This year the students had two challenges. For the first challenge, student teams utilized the engineering design process to create a machine that automatically identified and packaged a product. The challenge tested students' knowledge of mechanisms, design thinking, and sensors. Designs that were efficient and able to sort multiple types of products received the most points. During the competition, students had one hour to reassemble their projects before presenting them to a group of judges.


The second challenge was a design iteration from the previous challenge, as student groups received a set of codes that contained errors that prevented their machines from working. Within 30 minutes, each team had to debug the code and demonstrate to judges that it worked on their machine. This challenge tested students' coding knowledge and troubleshooting skills. The teams that successfully identified and corrected the errors within the time limit received the most points.


The ENpowered Games serve as a platform for students to showcase the knowledge and skills they have gained through the ENpowered Program in a real-world setting. Students work in teams to compete for the grand prize, putting their engineering and problem-solving skills to the test. The goal of the competition is to energize students and serve as a catalyst for them to pursue post-secondary opportunities in engineering or other science, technology, and math fields.


Throughout the spring, Project SYNCERE has partnered with nine Chicago Public Schools to provide students with an engineering-based program aimed at enhancing their interest and skills in the STEM fields. The ENpowered Program focuses on developing students' engineering design, critical thinking, and collaboration skills through a series of mini-design challenges led by Project SYNCERE staff members. The program prepares students for the culminating event - the ENpowered Games competition.


“We are thrilled to return to a full in-person event for the 6th Annual ENpowered Games and feel the energy in the room and witness the incredible creativity and problem-solving skills of our students in action. The Awesome Automations theme challenged students to apply their knowledge of mechanisms, design thinking, coding and troubleshooting to develop innovative solutions that can sort multiples types of products. We are grateful to our partners, donors, and corporate sponsors for their continued support in making this event possible and for enabling us to continue our mission of preparing underrepresented students to pursue careers in Engineering and STEM” – Jason Coleman, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Project SYNCERE.


The ENpowered Games is made possible by the support of Project SYNCERE's partners, including local schools, individual donors and the following corporate sponsors: Allstate, Boeing, Donley Foundation, Epstein Foundation, Kathy Bolhous Foundation, Milhouse Charities, Molex, PolkBros, US Department of Education and Verizon.


This year’s participating schools are:

  • Mariano Azuela Elementary School - West Lawn Community
  • Dunne STEM Academy - Roseland Community
  • Amelia Earhart Options for Literature, Writing and STEAM School - Calumet Heights Community
  • James E McDade Elementary Classical School - Chatham Community
  • Adam Clayton Powell Paideia Community Academy - South Shore Community
  • Charles Sumner Math & Science Community Academy - North Lawndale Community
  • Henry O Tanner Elementary School - Greater Grand Crossing Community
  • West Park Elementary Academy - Humboldt Park Community
  • Robert L Grimes Elementary School - Garfield Ridge Community

Project SYNCERE (Supporting Youth's Needs with Core Engineering Research Experiments) is a Chicago-based non-profit organization that prepares underrepresented students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Through innovative project-based programs, Project SYNCERE engages students in using technology and engineering-based principles to solve real-world problems. Founded in 2009, Project SYNCERE provides year-round programs that inspire and empower students to pursue their interests in STEM fields.


For more information www.projectsyncere.org.


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