CHESTERVILLE — For the fourth consecutive year, Ralph S. Brewer of Chesterville has served as a virtual judge for the U.S. Army’s annual eCYBERMISSION competition.

The competition closed student registration in early February with a record 13,219 participants, surpassing the program’s goal of 13,000 students. Brewer then received more than 30 online student packets ready for judging using pre-established program criteria.

The competition is a Web-based science, technology, engineering and math competition for students in grades six through nine. Through the competition, students compete for regional and national awards using the scientific method to solve a problem in their local communities. Winners at each level of competition receive U.S. EE Savings Bonds, with the top finalists eligible for a week of educational enrichment activities and events in Washington, D.C.

“It is always a challenge to judge teams of students in this competition,” said Brewer. “It is taking the traditional science fair out of the auditorium and into cyberspace. The quality of projects submitted is generally very good, and I make every effort to apply the judging criteria fairly and equitably. Students deserve that much.”

Brewer, who is retired after teaching high school for 20 years in Rangeley and elementary school for five years in south central Los Angeles, Calif., completed his judging assignments last month and is looking forward to the announcement of national winners in early June.

Anyone interested in further information about the competition may log on to ecybermission.com.


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