Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics and Science 2020 State Level Essay Competition Description

TEAMS Essay Challenge:
Humankind continues the development of land for residential and commercial use, resulting in fewer acres dedicated to wildlife and a natural state across the globe. Zoos are one way humans try to enable species to survive and reproduce, while allowing people to see animals they might not otherwise see. As such, zoos are faced with a dual challenge of preserving the animals and their natural environments while also functioning in a highly sustainable fashion.

Your team is tasked with modifying an existing zoo within your state to develop innovations that would maximize economic, environmental, and/or societal benefits. Your proposal should include a basic overview of the zoo and the innovations you intend to implement. These may include anything within the zoo, from the animals, to water use, waste, energy, infrastructure, traffic flow, etc.

Your team may choose to write about one or more modifications/improvements. Your essay should include the potential impacts of each innovation proposed, as well as any associated costs and risks to implementing these. Your essay should address (at a minimum) the following questions and issues:
	What modification(s) would make a positive difference over the next decade or two?
	What modification(s) could be beneficial to the preservation of wildlife, and which could allow more people to see and learn about animals in a deeper way?
	Which improvements could be beneficial to society?

Regulations:
1. Essays must be no longer than 1,000 words (not including bibliography).

2. Essays must be typed and double spaced. They may not be handwritten. 3. Acceptable fonts are 12 point Times New Roman or 12 point Arial.
4. Essays should be formatted according to APA guidelines, including bibliography. A short abstract must be included. The abstract is not part of the word count. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/10/

Submission Procedure:
Essays must be submitted electronically via the submission link provided in the coach online account no later than the day before the team’s scheduled competition date. Essay rubrics and a resource document are also posted in the coach online account.

Important: Please note the following before uploading the essay: 	The adult coach of the team must submit the entry.
	Coaches with only one team submitting an entry should click on “Team A” for the entry.
	Coaches with multiple teams in a grade level must submit a separate entry for each team and assign each entry a different team letter (i.e., if you have two 9/10 teams, one will be Team A and one will be Team B. These team letter assignments must remain the same for the multiple choice and design/build components on competition day.)

NOTE: The submitting coach will receive an automatic email verifying that the submission has been received. If you do not receive a verifying email within an hour of submitting the essay, please contact Amber Williams.