BEAUMONT — Several local students shined at The Golden Triangle Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering Divisional STEM Competition Saturday at Lamar University.

This year’s competition hosted 91 students from Beaumont, Groves, Hamshire-Fannett, Orange and Port Arthur. Students participated in a timed math and science test and ultimately competed in a hands-on engineering design challenge that simulates a real-world professional experience.

The challenge required each team of students to develop creative solutions using limited materials in just one hour. Volunteers from Motiva, ExxonMobil, the U.S. Coast Guard, local school districts and Lamar University College of Engineering assisted as test proctors, judges and other event needs.

The math and science exam winners represented the following schools: Beaumont United, Tekoa Academy, Harmony Science Academy, Bob Hope School, Lincoln Middle School, Woodrow Wilson Early College, Memorial Ninth Grade Academy, West Orange- Stark Middle School and Lamar University GT-TAME Club.

The winning Engineering Design Challenge team was Gabriel Lovett from Harmony Science Academy, Prentice Altaf from Tekoa Academy of Accelerated Studies, Shawn Shields from Lincoln Middle School, Brenda Torres from Bob Hope School and Orion Burroughs and Nancy Mendoza from the Lamar University GT-TAME Club.

Organizers said through the development of a peer and mentor network, the competitions also provide a unique opportunity for students to visit a college campus and to interact with STEM role models.

“While the students were busy in the competition, we hosted a parent’s workshop that explored topics such as how to apply to college, funding college education and alternatives to a four-year degree,” said Annie Carter, GT-TAME Chair and longtime volunteer. “The participants’ parents had the opportunity to learn and ask questions about college applications from subject matter experts from Lamar University.”