This is a CSTA Partner Post

By Debbie Moss, STEM Teacher, Southern California Yeshiva High School

A course with a title like “Engineering” (or in my case “Introduction to Scientific Engineering”) can consist of almost anything the school/district can imagine and articulate. Southern California Yeshiva High School’s course touches on many aspects of this broad subject, including electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, coding, and the engineering design process. An essential part of any course in engineering, however, is a capstone project that lets students demonstrate their skills all the way from defining a problem to presenting a final product. The annual TI Codes Contest not only provides this framework, but also the timeline and objectives of the contest are aligned such that students who participate learn the necessary skills to do well on the multiple-choice section (70% of score) of the Advanced Placement® Computer Science Principles exam and have a project to submit as their required Create Performance Task (30% of score).

What is the TI Codes Contest?

Every year since 2018, Texas Instruments has sponsored the TI Codes Contest (https://ticodescontest.com), which challenges students to use TI technology (provided AT NO COST) to “optimize or improve a process or product” in a designated category. Some past themes include food, health and pets.

What Does It Take to Be a TI Codes Contest Sponsor?

Any teacher, coach, or parent can sponsor a TI Codes team; it would even be a great opportunity for a college student interested in mentoring. You do not need any special qualifications or a background in STEM. TI provides an extensive catalog of “10 Minutes of Code” lessons (https://education.ti.com/en/activities/ti-codes/) that both sponsors and students can use to become familiar with using either the TI-84 Plus CE Python or TI-Nspire™ CX II graphing calculator, as well as the TI-Innovator™ Hub and Rover and the BBC micro:bit. Additionally, although equipment is provided to teams that advance to the second round of the contest, ANYONE can borrow equipment through the STEM Projects Pilot Program (https://ti-enews-education.ti.com/STEMprojects) to increase familiarity prior to the contest (theme announced in October, contest begins in January).

Yes, But Why Should *I*, In Particular, Be a TI Codes Contest Sponsor?

There are so many great answers to this question, so I’ll just try to capture a few here. First, as previously mentioned, the contest provides a fantastic framework for an engineering capstone project, including providing all the materials your team will need. Each year, after entering the contest, I have my students create trifold boards and we have a local “Engineering Fair.” This gives them an opportunity to not only demonstrate their engineering prowess, but also to improve their soft skills (working collaboratively on branding – including a team name, color scheme, font, etc.; answering questions from peers and judges; preparing an “elevator pitch”). 

But even before you get to the point of actually building something, each team has to work together to complete a Submission Packet, which requires them to identify a problem, do background research and brainstorm possible solutions. The first year I sponsored a team, I (and my students) had no experience with the TI technology involved in the contest, but the amazing thing about the Submission Packet is that no experience is required, just great ideas and teamwork. If you are a teacher, coach, parent, or mentor, you can do this, regardless of your educational/vocational background, as long as you and your team make a commitment to the contest deadlines (which are always published well in advance).

This All Sounds Great, But Where Does This Fit Into My Curriculum?

The most exciting part about participating in the TI Codes Contest is that each student can get something different out of the experience based on their interests and abilities. Some students elect to participate in AP Computer Science Principles, and my students who have done so have a 100% pass rate. Other students might be more interested in the technical writing aspect of preparing the Submission Packet, or in the graphic design of creating branded slides and the final trifold board, or even in producing the video required for the contest. 

Because the TI Codes Contest is a team effort (although you can definitely still sponsor a team of one!), anyone can participate and make a meaningful contribution. Not only does participating in this contest look great on student resumes, but several of our TI Codes Contest alumni have decided to pursue STEM degrees because of their participation.

I’m Still on the Fence…

I completely understand, having been through this myself. Halfway through the 2018 – 2019 school year (my first at SCY High and my first teaching engineering) I was searching for a framework for a capstone project. At that point, the TI Codes Contest was beginning its second year. As soon as I looked at the Contest Rules and Submission Packet, I knew I had found a way forward. 

Knowing there was (and still is!) no entry fee, materials are provided to teams that advance to the “building their project” round, and the process is organized around the Submission Packet and broken into several phases, all made it an easy choice. As our students found success in the program in 2019 and 2020 – meaning our school now had a small collection of TI technology – we were able to expand the engineering program and eventually add an AP Computer Science Principles class. Our success in Engineering and Computer Science Principles led the administration to add an AP Computer Science A class (all of our AP CSA students are TI Codes alumni, and they also have a 100% pass rate). 

With so many incentives, the question is not really why you should sponsor a team, but why wouldn’t you?