Columbia, SC (WLTX) - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Those subjects are helping students in Richland County figure out what they want to do in the future.
On Friday afternoon middle and high school students teamed up to compete in the Regional Remote-Controlled Car Race competition, which utilized all of those STEM skills.
"They're thinking, they're problem solving, and they are using a lot of critical thinking skills," says David Prigge, program consultant with Richland County School District One.
Six teams from around Richland Co. and Charlotte, North Carolina competed, customizing their cars to be racing machines.
Daniel Montgomery is a senior at Lower Richland High School and says skills learned in this program will help him out when he gets to college.
"I want to major in civil engineering and aeronautical engineering," says Montgomery. "This will actually help me because with aeronautical engineering I know I'll have to do a lot of wiring, a lot of mechanics and stuff."
Friday's events weren't just about engineering. There was also a marketing and business side, where students encouraged judges to support their team's mission and outreach goals.
11th grader Terycia Jeffcoat of Lower Richland High School says that's where her skills come into play.
"I really like international business because I want to do something on a global aspect," says Jeffcoat. "Working with this is helpful because I get to interact with people like I would do in my career force when I get older."
Johnny Murdaugh, director of Richland One's Career and Technology Education Department, wants to make sure these students enjoy the skills they are learning in these STEM programs.
"One of the most expensive career development programs known to man is going to college without a major," says Murdaugh. "So we want to make sure they have an idea, have a plan and then we help them implement it through middle school and high school."
This program is sponsored by the TEN80 National STEM League, which encourages students to excel in science and technology.
