Keeping Your Students Motivated to Complete the eCYBERMISSION Program Can Make a Difference in Their Lives

Successfully mentoring a team of students through a competition like eCYBERMISSION requires time and dedication. As Team Advisors, you may be asking yourself, “What did I sign myself up for? Is all this extra time and effort really worth it?”

It is worth it. Team Advisor Jamie Scott shares with us a story on how commitment and perseverance can lead students to success.

Jamie, an eighth grade teacher at Pin Oak Middle School in Bellaire, Texas, has been an eCYBERMISSION Team Advisor since its inception in 2002. Through the years, Jamie has come to really understand just how much a competition like eCYBERMISSION can change a student’s life.

Jamie, who has mentored over 40 teams to completion with eCYBERMISSION, recalls how eCYBERMISSION has had a positive effect on his students, his school and his community.

Students at Pin Oak Middle School in Bellaire, Texas, have won a total of $194,000 in eCYBERMISSION awards since inception. Last year alone, the Pin Oak Middle School students won $38,000 in U.S. EE Savings Bonds.

How can this program impact your students’ lives?

eCYBERMISSION not only gets students excited about science, the program also gives them the knowledge and resources to pursue advanced education and careers focused in science, technology, engineer and math (STEM).

For Jamie’s students, winning an eCYBERMISSION award means that they are in a better position to continue their education. The winnings help families start a path to saving toward the costs of a college education.

The skills the students learn throughout their participation in the program are skills that they need to succeed in not only education, but in real-life problem solving. The opportunities to build skills, such as problem solving, research skills, data interpretation and evaluation, analyzing information, writing proficiency and creativity, give students a jump start towards furthering their education. These students are building the skills needed to be effective leaders of tomorrow. They are setting an example for their peers on how to be a positive contributor to their community.

Jamie participates in eCYBERMISSION for several reasons, all of which are focused on improving the lives of his students. He raises the bar for his students, so that their skill sets surpass those of their peers and they are truly able to be successful in their education.

“eCYBERMISSION is well-organized and provides a great support system,” said Scott. “I love to watch my kids be successful. When I see the students obtain even small incremental successes, it motivates me to continue to be a mentor to them. I can see that they are different because of the experience they had with me and this competition.

My life was changed by a school counselor who sponsored an Earth Day when I was in school. We planted 100 trees at my school, and I can drive by today and still the see the fruits of that labor. That one event changed my life, and made me who I am today. I want to give these kids the same opportunity for life-changing experiences.”

This is only one example of how a Team Advisor has helped to change the future of his students. Do you have a similar story you can share with eCYBERMISSION? We want to hear what motivates YOU to push through the competition.