Innovative P-12 Students Compete in 2012 International CSTEM Challenge

Houston-based organization connects classroom learning to the real world for teachers and students through robotics, sculpture, green-environmental, mural, creative writing, geographic information systems and STEM Quiz Bowl

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CSTEM:

WHO:	Elementary, middle and high Schools from Texas, Maryland, Tennessee and the Dominican Republic, with more than 3,000 participating students
WHAT:	7^th Annual International CSTEM Challenge, themed “Everyone is an Artist and an Engineer”
	This free event is open to the public and includes interactive displays hosted by NASA, Oceanstar Museum, Fitness Activity Zone, the University of Houston (downtown campus) Planetarium, STEM Activity Zone, Art Activity Zone, and the U.S. Navy.
WHEN:	Saturday, March 31, 2012; 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. / Competition starts 9:45 a.m. / Awards 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
WHERE:	George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall A, 1001 Avenida De Las Americas
	CSTEM is partnering with the Shell Eco-marathon to transform the George R. Brown Convention Center and Discovery Green Park into “The Energy Zone."
WHY:	The International CSTEM Challenge, for elementary, middle, and high school students, provides a platform for minorities, girls and underserved students to compete in communication, science, technology, engineering, mathematics (CSTEM), social studies and art. CSTEM is headquartered in Houston, Texas and hosts this event every spring to connect three levels of basic education creating P-12 pipeline teams that evolve into competitive STEM driven feeder systems. The student’s projects in robotics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), green environmental stewardship, art, social media, creative writing and geometry allow them to solve problems collaboratively.
	Founded in 2002, CSTEM is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the achievement gaps in the areas of communication, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (CSTEM) through focused teacher training and experiential learning for students through practical application. CSTEM has positively impacted the lives of more than 50,000 students in grades P-12, and trained more than 500 teachers. CSTEM operates in school districts in Maryland, Tennessee, Texas and the Dominican Republic. For additional information visit www.cstem.org.
SPONSORS:	Sponsors include, Shell Oil Company, ASME, AT&T, U.S. Navy, Fort Bend Cares Foundation, GoGo Business Solutions, BTS Team and the University of Houston
CONTACT:	Shanta Mauney (for CSTEM), 281.804.8900, [e-mail]

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Media are invited to pre-register for this event. Reagan Flowers, Ph.D., CSTEM Founder and CEO, and special keynote speaker Jamai Blivin, President and CEO of Innovate+ Educate, are available for interviews March 30-31.