Forty-three high school students from two Houston-area school districts creatively addressed some of the world’s most pressing engineering challenges during Aggies Invent Junior. The event, which was sponsored by ExxonMobil and held Dec. 8-9, 2023, was coordinated and hosted by Texas A&M Engineering in College Station.
Aggies Invent Junior hosts some of Texas’ top high school students who are considering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. Participants use an active design process to build and test a prototype before presenting their design to industry and academic judges.
The competition’s winning team, the House of Plants, designed a living environment that embraces cutting-edge energy and technology while inviting residents to adopt eco-friendly practices.
Second place was awarded to The Panthers, who developed a plan for ecofriendly apartments that practice water conservation.
The KEMH Jets took third place for their project designing airplanes that prioritize energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint associated with air travel.
The event’s judges were impressed with participants’ knowledge and innovation. “Their final presentations were entertaining, informative, and endearing. My judge colleagues and I were very excited to see such great work, and it was a difficult decision choosing the top three teams,” said Galen Brownley, learning and innovation manager for ExxonMobil Foundation’s Teen Engineering and Tech Center.
Through collaborative initiatives like Aggies Invent Junior, we strive to empower students with the skills and passion needed to pursue STEM education and careers.
An Inventive Future
Participants were able to select design challenges related to some of the world’s most pressing issues: eco-friendly housing, transportation, and energy.
Director of Texas A&M Engineering’s Spark! PK-12 Engineering Education Outreach Shelly Tornquist said, “Spark! is convinced that the true essence of the event unfolds when students come together to form teams centered around issues they are passionate about, fostering a deep sense of empathy towards the problem, and being true to the design process.”
This marked the seventh year that Texas A&M hosted this event, which continues to foster collaboration between K-12 and higher education. “As we reflect on seven years of Aggies Invent Junior, it's clear that this event is where the energy of young minds and academic brilliance collide,” said Morgan Krauss, the Spark! program specialist who coordinated the event.
“Texas A&M's deep commitment to fostering these aspiring minds showcases the university as a true catalyst for innovation. Through collaborative initiatives like Aggies Invent Junior, we strive to empower students with the skills and passion needed to pursue STEM education and careers,” said Krauss.
Challenges and Memories
Participants enjoyed the opportunity to identify a problem that was personally interesting. “Because we were all interested in one particular need statement, we formed our team,” Jina Kwak said, a junior at Spring Branch ISD’s Memorial High School.
The event required participants to figure out how to collaborate effectively. “We all focused on different pieces of the process by putting our ideas in, and then we worked together to bring those pieces together,” said Mackenzie Jackson, a junior at Houston ISD’s Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy.
Teams also learned to tap individual team member’s strengths. “We worked well together as a team because we had an artist, a technical person, and someone who was outgoing who could take the lead on the presentation,” said Alejandra Rodriguez, a senior at Spring Branch ISD’s Spring Woods High School who is interested in studying mechanical engineering.
The competition challenged students to apply their knowledge at a higher level. “I got to see the process on how to solve problems and also learned more about research,” said Rhianna Cuneth, a sophomore at Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy, who is considering majoring in engineering.
The event also created new memories. “I decided to come because I wanted to make memories—and so far, I have!” said Frances Zapata, a Northbrook High School freshman.
Hands-On Experience
Aggies Invent Junior participants also had the opportunity to gauge their interest in engineering as a career field. “This experience gave me an opportunity to see what it feels like to be an engineer and I walked away with a whole different perspective,” said Zenith Hernandez, a freshman at Spring Branch ISD’s Northbrook High School.
Participants also gained insight into the college experience, including meeting faculty and students. “My engineering teacher told me about this competition, and I was interested because I’m considering Texas A&M and a career in engineering,” said Kate Chryssikos, a sophomore from Memorial High School.
Many students saw this event as a chance to meet industry and academic leaders. “It was a great opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and to network and build relationships,” said Jackson.
The event allows industry, higher education and K-12 schools to work together to support the future generation of engineers. “The Aggies Invent Junior Event was a wonderful example of bringing engineering to life for students,” Brownley explained. “The students seem to really enjoy the competitive but friendly environment. It was excellent to see a collaborative problem-solving structure embedded throughout the process, which closely mirrors the approach engineers take in the field today.”