P-TECH students Joe Swartz of Southwestern and David Gee of Dunkirk placed first in the video presentation competition. For the competition, students were tasked with filming this year’s STEM Wars to show how they can promote the event. Students had to present raw, unedited footage.

“The content and purpose of the video was to show STEM Wars and why a new student should be interested in participating,” said David Gee. “It was an on-site shoot and we were unable to edit any footage so we spent extra time planning the shots and running through them before we turned the camera on.”

Chase Cooper of Gowanda and Sierra Slade of Jamestown also placed third in the same vido competition.

“We tried to appeal to all of the people at STEM Wars – the students participating, the adults, the sponsors and the opportunity – we wanted to explain what STEM Wars is,” said Joe Swartz.

Submitted Photo Pictured, at left, are P-TECH students Joe Swartz of Southwestern and David Gee of Dunkirk who placed first in the video presentation competition at STEM Wars.

At STEM Wars, students work in three categories: technology-based events which include video challenges, bridge creation, cardboard challenges, catapult and robot projects; on-site team building/leadership skills competitions which include storyboard video challenges, CO2 races and science events; and communicate with many local employers looking for students with STEM Skills.

STEM Wars is a collaborative event between the Chautauqua County Chapter of the New York State Technology & Engineering Educator’s Association, Dream It Do It WNY, Jamestown Community College, Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier.

Eighth-grade students entering ninth grade for the 2020-21 school year who are interested in P-TECH can still complete applications for enrollment. For more information, email WNY P-TECH principal William Smock at wsmock@e2ccb.org or CAM P-TECH principal Paula Ferneza at pferneza@e2ccb.org.