Some Panorama Middle School students recently achieved a high distinction at a national competition. The school’s Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science (TEAMS) group reached the Semifinals of the National TEAMS Competition in Atlanta, Georgia.

Out of the 50 teams that began the competition, only 12 qualified for the Semifinals. The competition included three challenges: digital media, prepared presentation, and problem solving. The first two components were completed prior to the competition, while the problem solving portion was conducted at the competition itself. As part of the problem solving portion, the teams were asked to use given materials to construct a battery that would store heat in a house that met certain criteria. They also completed a multiple choice test and presented a poster project on an innovated, windbeam-powered train.

Coralville’s Northwest Junior High School won the Middle School competition, while Iowa City West took 6th place in the 11/12th Grade division. The competition is organized by the Technology Student Association.