About 90 high school students from across Maine recently participated in the annual Thomas Cup, a 13-hour marathon of challenges in computer science, robotics, cybersecurity, and more. The event promotes teamwork, offers scholarships, and sparks interest in STEM careers.
High Schoolers Compete in All-Night Robotics & Cybersecurity Game
( Credit to: Centralmaine )
About 90 high school students from across Maine recently participated in the annual Thomas Cup, a 13-hour marathon of challenges in computer science, robotics, cybersecurity, and more. The event promotes teamwork, offers scholarships, and sparks interest in STEM careers.
The Thomas Cup is known for its overnight format, which adds an extra level of excitement and intensity to the competition. Organizer Michael Duguay explained that the event provides rare opportunities for students to showcase their skills in computer science, robotics, and other related fields. Despite the grueling nature of the competition, participants find it to be an incredibly enjoyable experience.
This year, the competition featured a range of challenges, including robotics, cybersecurity, rocket science, and even a League of Legends tournament organized by Thomas College's esports team. With 18 teams and over 90 students participating from various schools across the state, the competition was fierce.
Unique Scoring System and Scholarships
( Credit to: Centralmaine )
What sets the Thomas Cup apart from other competitions is its unique scoring system. Instead of teams specializing in one area, students are required to excel in each challenge in order to earn points. This ensures a well-rounded skill set and promotes teamwork among the participants.
( Credit to: Centralmaine )
The winning team, known as the "Supah Hunks," consisted of students from Cheverus and Greely high schools in Cumberland County. Brody Gifford, Corbin Richter, Andrew Flanders, Hayden Harkett, and Alexander Wharton were awarded $10,000 scholarships each if they choose to attend Thomas College. Second and third place teams also received scholarships of $8,000 and $6,000, respectively.
Engaging Challenges and Career Exploration
While the challenges change each year, the organizers always strive to create immersive and engaging tasks that spark interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers. This year, the crime scene analysis challenge was inspired by real-life events featured on the NBC show "Dateline." The organizers, including Duguay, put in a lot of effort to create an intriguing and captivating challenge for the students.
In addition to the various challenges, the Thomas Cup also includes a three-hour video game tournament featuring the popular game League of Legends. This tournament has become a critical part of Thomas College's recruitment efforts and is a favorite among many high school participants.
Inspiring Students and Fostering Interest in STEM
Despite some technical difficulties with internet connectivity, this year's Thomas Cup was one of the best-attended in recent years. Duguay expressed his satisfaction with the event's consistent participation and emphasized the enjoyment it brings to both the students and the organizers.
The Thomas Cup continues to inspire and engage high school students, providing them with unique opportunities to showcase their skills and explore potential career paths in STEM fields. With its overnight format and diverse range of challenges, this competition is sure to remain a highlight for students across the state of Maine.
