Leading global technology distributor Avnet, Inc. announced the 2015 winners of the 10th Annual Avnet Tech Games. Of the more than 200 students from universities and community colleges who competed in the games, 31 students collected $1,000 scholarships. Additionally, nine faculty advisors received $2,700 in honorariums for leading the winning teams to victory.
“The 10th year of the Avnet Tech Games has most certainly been our best,” said MaryAnn Miller, senior vice president, Chief Human Resources Officer and Corporate Communications, Avnet, Inc. “It’s through competitions like this that a spotlight shines on the science, technology, engineering and mathematic expertise of Arizona’s students. As a long-time proponent of STEM education, Avnet believes that there is intrinsic value in helping to facilitate development and networking opportunities like this between today’s technology leaders and our future workforce to help them achieve their long-term career goals.”
A panel of judges including technology executives, engineers and other business leaders selected the winners based on the students’ ability to meet the technical requirements of a task, apply innovative approaches to the solution and demonstrate professional skills.
Faculty coach Eli Chmouni said, “I have been attending the games for about six years, first as a student and now as faculty sponsoring students. It is great to see the competitive spirit of the students and how much effort they go through to place first. When I competed as a student I did not win, but we are dominating year after year when I am faculty.”
The 2015 Winners are:
Cisco Network Expert Security Battle – Teams worked to secure their network and prepare for a competition practice attack.
- Mesa Community College
- Faculty Coach: Robert Samson
- Student Team Members: Jason Gates, Dana Gallagher, Nathan Pan
HP Fastest Computer Build – Who built a computer the fastest and troubleshoot a computer the fastest
- Arizona State University
- Faculty Coach: Eli Chmouni
- Student Team Members: Troy Gerloff, Habib Matar, Jeremy Morgan
Desktop Domination – Students will complete a set of tasks and troubleshoot issues in the Windows 7 operating system.
- The University of Advancing Technology
- Faculty Coach: Al Kelly
- Student Team Members: Andrew Denis, Eric Evans, Jason Olivas
Digital Design Dilemma – Students design and demonstrate a digital design.
- Chandler-Gilbert Community College
- Faculty Coach: Bassam Matar
- Student Team Members: Chandler Redding, Sean Walker, Kevin Grout
Green Data Center Challenge – Students design their own state-of-the art data center from the ground up within a certain budget.
- Scottsdale Community College
- Faculty Coach: Ron Monroig
- Student Team Members: Cristobal Romero, Alba Lopez, Matthew O’Donnell
Java Blitz – Students develop an application using Java 7 Standard Edition.
- Arizona State University
- Student Team Members: Morgan Nesbit, Zachary Moore
Robot Race Obstacle Course – Teams had five hours to build and program a robot using a LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 (31313) robot kit provided by Avnet.
- Mesa Community College
- Faculty Coach: Bruce Carlton
- Student Team Members: Lloyd Allen, Matthew Otte
Solar Scrimmage – Teams were required to design, build, test and present the best overall solar-powered “green energy” water pumping system. They will compete by assembling a solar-powered water pumping and distribution system.
- Mesa Community College
- Faculty Coach: Bruce Carlton
- Student Team Members: Brandon Traylor, Daniel Bailey, Nguyen Dao
2015 Virtual Avnet Tech Games
The Virtual Avnet Tech Games were introduced in 2010 to expand the breadth of the onsite event by allowing students to compete on a national level. More than 100 teams competed in the Virtual Avnet Tech Games competition. This year’s winners are:
Android App™ Showdown
- Arizona State University
- Faculty Coach: Eli Chmouni
- Student Team Members: Joslene Chmouni, Matthew Vehon
Green Video Competition
- University of Advancing Technology
- Faculty Coach: Justin Gagen
- Student Team Members: Darien Marion, Ryan Moore, Dominique Laster
JDA Supply Chain Challenge
- School Name: University of California, San Diego, Harvard and MIT
- Student Team Members: Amilcare Gentili, MD, FACHE, Marco Gentili, Paolo Gentili, Ryan Scheidt