Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate and Griffiss Institute to Host 11th Annual Challenge Competition

 

ROME, NY — The Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate (AFRL/RI), in partnership with the Griffiss Institute (GI), is proud to host the 11th Annual AFRL Challenge Competition, as one of their joint STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) initiatives.

The 2019 AFRL Challenge Competition begins Monday, April 15, 2019, and will end on Friday, April 19, at Griffiss Institute, 725 Daedalian Drive, Rome, New York.

The Challenge Competition is an annual competitive STEM initiative for local high school students. It is held during a week when students are on a school break and its intent is to provide a more realistic view into the types of high-tech problems the nation is facing today, and how engineers and researchers go about dissecting and solving these problems. The best explanation to describe the competition is “mental marathon”.

The teams will receive the challenge problem upon arrival Monday morning, and have the next four days to solve it. AFRL/RI engineers and scientists will be on hand to answer questions regarding the challenge problem throughout the week.

For many of the participants, being able to spend a week bouncing ideas off local engineers will be an incredible benefit and opportunity.

The AFRL Challenge Competition gives many of the participants a new perspective on the field of engineering and they get to learn more about the work that takes place at both, the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate, and the Griffiss Institute.

The winners of the competition will be awarded paid summer internships, as well as other prizes.

On Friday, April 19, 2019, at 9:00 am, competition judging will begin, followed by a luncheon at 12:30 pm, and an awards ceremony at 1:15 pm, where parents and local dignitaries will be on hand to support, congratulate, and recognize these technology leaders of tomorrow.

“This year’s challenge is being developed by the Information Exploitation and Operations Division. The students will design, build, and execute an Air Force Mission as the cyber mission forces supporting a military operation. I expect it will be an eye-opening experience for the participants,” says Jeff DeMatteis, the AFRL/RI STEM Outreach Coordinator.

The ten area high schools participating in the 2019 Challenge are:

 

Central Valley Academy

Students: Dale Windecker and Carter Wynn

Teacher: Wes Laurion

 

Clinton High School

Students: Jessica Ritz and Kim Rivera

Teacher: Theresa Chesebro

 

Frankfort-Schuyler Central School

Students: Ryan Janis and John Tofani

Teacher: Christopher Snell

 

Holland Patent High School

Students: Emmalee Howard and Jacqueline Mann

Teacher: Richard Zacek

 

Holy Cross Academy

Students: Noelle DiRuzzo and Lily Domes

Teacher: John DiRuzzo

 

Oriskany Central School

Students: Wesley Appler and Joshua Macera

Teacher: Teresa Mann

 

Remsen Central School

Students: Sydney Boucher and Shaun Graves

Teacher: Dan O’Bryan

 

Rome Free Academy

Students: Elena Davis and Chris Incorvaia

Teacher: Albert Bangs

 

Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School

Students: Nathan Angell and Eric Surprenant

Teacher: Sondra Whalen

 

Westmoreland Central School

Students: Austen Bowers and Jarrett Flint

Teacher: Nick Darrah

 

This year’s AFRL Challenge Competition is sponsored by CUBRCMohawk Valley EDGE, and A Moveable Feast by O’Connor’s.

Recent News

Building the Next Generation of Defense Innovators through Experiential Learning and Semiconductor Research

Download as PDF October 11, 2024- The Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub (NORDTECH), in...

Griffiss Institute Names Angela Wright as Vice President of Intergovernmental Affairs

Rome, NY – August 28, 2024 – Griffiss Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of...

Griffiss Institute Appoints Dean Korsak as General Counsel and Secretary to the Board

Rome, NY – August 28, 2024 – The Griffiss Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of Dean...

Official Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Held for ORION: A Groundbreaking Internet of Things (IoT) Technology Ecosystem

Rome, NY — August 23, 2024 — Open-Architecture Resilient IoT for Operational Networks (ORION)...

Griffiss Institute Announces HUSTLE Defense Accelerator Winners

Rome, NY- Griffiss Institute revealed the exceptional achievements of the eight tech companies who...

B3K receives $2 million to launch Innovation Hub in East Kern

Partnership with Griffiss Institute will promote tech transfer and grow the region’s aerospace...

Griffiss Institute Names Matthew Mroz as Executive Vice President for Strategic Programs

Rome, NY – July 23, 2024 – Griffiss Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of...
Scroll to Top

Due to the severe weather conditions and state of emergency declared by the City of Rome, Rome Labs & Innovare Advancement Center will be closed on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. This closure affects all Griffiss Institute staff, residents, guests, and program participants, including STEM campers, interns, visiting faculty, fellows, and incubator clients. We will resume normal business hours of operation on July 18, 2024.

If you are impacted by the tornado and need assistance please call 211 or text 898-211, the United Way of Mohawk Valley can assist you with proper resources during this time. www.211midyork.com