Published On: April 15th, 2015By

Hoffman Middle School Student Wins 1st Place in Technology State Competition

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Bobiana Hill and Sirrianda Mbianda (l-r) from Hoffman Middle School

Two students from Hoffman Middle School competed in the Technology Student Association State Contest. Sirrianda Mbianda and Bobiana Hill showed their technical skills in team and individual events. Both advanced after winning at the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]state-qualifying contest held at Atascocita Middle School in February. The state contest took place April 9-11 in Waco.

This marked a couple of firsts for Richard Houdek. He serves as career technical education teacher and sponsor of TSA at the campus. It was the first time he had a team compete at the state contest. And it was first time that one of his TSA earned a medal at the state event. Sirrianda brought home a first place win in the Student-Built/Designed Rockets event.

Sirrianda and Bobiana competed in three team events. The preliminary exam score gained the team entry into the speed rounds of the Tech Bowl. The team won the first battle but got beat in the second round.

The Hoffman team also competed in Junior Solar Sprint. The U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program helps fund the event. Junior Solar Sprint participants explore an alternative energy source and experience the automotive design process when they research and conceptualize a design, make drawings, build a model from the design, and race a solar-powered car model. Hoffman Middle School’s team car faced come hiccups on the track, but it was able to hold on to finish the rounds.

During the Problem-Solving event, teams had to design a device within the given time limit. The device had to automatically sort a series of different sized balls into sets of the same size.

While the pair did not place in the top five in these events, Houdek could not be more proud of his students.

“The girls had a great time,” Houdek said. “This was a wonderful learning opportunity for both of them. The experience they gained at the competition is something they can use in the classroom. And it will help them in future competitions.“

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Rocket Event

[icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]TSA competitions encourage students to apply their knowledge of skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Each year, the students focus on an annual theme. The [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]National Academy of Engineering designs the challenges. The goal is to have students develop original academic and innovative designs to succeed in the challenges. To excel, students must use critical job-readiness skills. These include teamwork, analytical thinking, and multi-dimensional problem solving skills.

Sirrianda also competed in the Student-Built/Designed Rockets. This is an individual entry event where students must prepare a rocket made from “scratch.” The event gives TSA members an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of aerodynamics, the design process, and physics of rocketry through the construction of an original model rocket. Sirrianda placed first in the challenge.

“Sirrianda beat every other student in her area in the entire state of Texas,” Houdek said. “This is the first Hoffman Middle School team to compete in the state competition. I am proud of Bobiana and Sirrianda’s hard work and positive attitude. They are both dedicated to learn.“