Students from the Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Technologies in Edison took a first-place prize at the “Best in the Nation” science and math competition in Washington, D.C. From left are Shivarth Popat, Dhruv Mehta, Jabez Wesley, Joey McCann, Lyndon Shi, Abdullah Shareef, Ajay Kumar and Rajul Bothra. EDISON — Eight students from the Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Technologies, Edison, came home with a first-place trophy from the “Best in the Nation” math and science competition in Washington, D.C.
After preparing throughout the school year under the direction of math teacher Sofia Vaksman, the students won first place in the oral category at the annual Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics and Science (TEAMS) competition, sponsored by the Technology Students Association.
The team from the Middlesex County academy also placed among the top 10 in the written competition and in the overall competition for ninth- and 10th-graders.
The students, who will be juniors in September, are Lyndon Shi, Abdullah Shareef, Ajay Kumar and Shivarth Popat, all of Edison; Jabez Wesley of Iselin; Rajul Bothra of Avenel; Joey McCann of Matawan; and Dhruv Mehta of Metuchen.
The theme of this year’s TEAMS competition, held June 28-July 1, was “Engineering Tomorrow’s Cities: Improving Urban Infrastructure.” The Middlesex County academy team presented its research on sustainability, saving energy and smart grids, and was then questioned by judges.
The students had time during their trip to visit Washington landmarks, including the Lincoln Memorial and the National Air and Space Museum.
The TEAMS competition challenges students to work collaboratively and to apply their science and math knowledge in practical and creative ways to solve everyday engineering challenges.
Vaksman said the students qualified for the competition by receiving high marks on a three-hour examination, which was administered to more than 10,000 students at more than 125 locations around the country.
“They worked as a team and, within three hours, had to take a test of 90 multiple choice math and science questions, and also write five short essays,” Vaksman said.
The Middlesex County academy team finished second in New Jersey, qualifying for the national competition.
The students will be eligible to compete in the 11th- and 12th-grade category in the coming school year, and Vaksman anticipated that the success of the team would inspire other students to become involved.
“We’re probably going to have many teams in the upcoming year,” she said.