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Team American Samoa: Pacific Navigators, Top 16 semi-finalists

Edrik Scanlan Gaisoa, Daniel Hyuk Wang, Bianca Alenna Serrano and Petania Fou Sagaga with American Samoa flag.
Source: American Samoa STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts Mathematics) Partnership
“Model the Way” at the 2019 National Technology Student Association Conference

Tafuna, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts Mathematics) Partnership’s 2019 Junior Solar Sprint Champions - Pacific Horizons School — are with thousands of Technology Student Association (TSA) middle school and high school student members from across the country at the 2019 National TSA Association Conference at National Harbor, MD near Washington, D.C (June 28 – July 2).

This year’s conference theme is “Model the Way,” as national TSA marks more than four decades of enhancing personal development, leadership, and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through intra curricular/extra-activities, competitions, and other programs.

Team American Samoa is represented by Edrik Scanlan Gaisoa, Daniel Hyuk Wang, Bianca Alenna Serrano and Petania Fou Sagaga. In preparation for the national conference, the students worked closely with coach Kendra Pinsker with support from STEAM chairperson, Edna Noga. 

There are more than 100 teams from all over country participating in the JSS competition.

“The students are learning a lot, networking, and having fun at the conference. They are amazed at the different types of competitions happening at the conference, and appreciate the opportunity to participate and represent our territory. Through the STEAM partnership, we are working to help bring these opportunities for all of students back home.  I am excited to share, there is interest and support from both the local community in American Samoa as well as the partners here at the conference to support and expand STEM in the territory — and this is all towards the goal of Building a Future Ready American Samoa,” said STEAM chairperson Noga. 

“I want to acknowledge and thank our awesome Team American Samoa family and support group here in DC — Jewel Gaisoa, Geraldine Serrano, Judy Wang, and Margaret Sagaga-Metai, Lilieni Sagaga, and Sopoaga Sagaga, as well as the amazing support of our coach Miss Kendra, the families and community back home and abroad”, Noga continued.

Also at the 2019 National TSA Conference:

TSA student members from across the country will take part in about 70 middle school and high school STEM competitions, including two news ones: Cybersecurity and CompTIA ITF+ Certification.

The Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science (TEAMS) finals will feature the theme “The Engineering Brain.” Original academic and innovative concepts are developed for TEAMS based on the National Academy of Engineering’s Grand Challenges.

Fifth through eighth grade students will design, build, and race solar-powered vehicles in the finals of the Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) competition, administered by TSA and funded by the  Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP).

American Samoa’s Pacific Navigators: Edrik Scanlan Gaisoa, Daniel Hyuk Wang, Bianca Alenna Serrano and Petania Fou Sagaga, with their parents and supporters at the 2019 National TSA Association Conference at National Harbor, MD near Washington, D.C (June 28 – July 2) The group reached the Top 16 semi-finals bracket.  [photo: courtesy]

AM SAMOA STEAM

The American Samoa STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts Mathematics) Partnership brings together educators, professionals, businesses, government agencies, non-profit organizations, community leaders and stakeholders to support student success.

The STEAM Partnership is working together to ensure that all students are STEAM literate as we build a Future Ready workforce and a globally competitive American Samoa.

Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) is an army education outreach program for 5th to 8th graders.  The JSS competition goal is to create the fastest, most interesting, and best crafted solar-vehicle possible. Students will design, build and race solar powered cars using engineering skills and principles of science and math, develop teamwork and problem solving abilities, investigate environmental issues, and gain hands-on STEM skills.