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What would be possible if you had $60,000 of advanced technology available in your school?

Apply now!

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The CIA Mission Possible Operation Advance Technology competition wants to answer just that!


The mission is to help improve science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) education in schools. This competition awards multiple educators with $60,000 each in advanced technology equipment. Each winner will receive 30 laptop computers with a charging cart and the opportunity to choose between several different prize packages to enhance technology education.

A primary goal of STEAM education is to prepare students for future careers which will require problem-solving skills, self-exploration, and perseverance. These skills, and many more, can be developed through the use of advanced technology. Having $60,000 in advanced technology equipment would give a boost to any student learning STEAM in today’s world!

One educator from each of the 5 regions will win the Grand Prize!

Map of the five U.S. regions

This program is made possible through a sponsorship from the Central Intelligence Agency.

How do I qualify?

How do I qualify?

  • Educate K through 8th grade students
  • Work for a school in the United States
  • Submit a 3-4 minute video creatively illustrating the need and possible uses and need for advanced technology in their school

A panel of educators and ORISE staff will determine the winning classroom for each region.

Entries will be judged on how well they:

  • Demonstrate or explain the need for the advanced technology equipment listed in the prize section
  • Demonstrate or explain the possible use of the advanced technology prize in their classroom or school
  • Demonstrate overall creativity in the entry
  • Provide an explanation of the teaching philosophy and/or approach that will be used to expand the STEAM learning experience and encourage students to pursue careers in STEAM fields
If you choose to accept this mission:

If you choose to accept this mission:

  • Ensure you are eligible and review the judging criteria above.
  • Talk to your principal or school leader about your desire to participate and ask him or her for a letter of support.
  • Talk to your technology coordinator about your desire to participate and ask him or her for a letter of support.
  • Have the people who will be featured in your video complete a media release form online.
  • Check out the CIA’s Spy Kids website for cool facts about CIA that could be used in your classroom!
  • Create a video featuring you and/or your students/school/community that will impress the panel of judges and earn high marks in the criteria listed above.

Prize Packages

One educator from each of the 5 regions will win the Grand Prize!

Grand Prize includes:

  • $60,000 Advanced Technology Lab
  • Thirty laptop computers
  • Thirty wireless mice
  • Thirty cable locks for securing laptops
  • Rolling cart for storage and charging
  • Your choice of STEAM accessory pack:
black girl with laptop

 

Sphero Accessory Pack

  • Two Sphero BOLT Power Pack + Sphero code mat sets which include:
    • Two Power pack cases
    • 30 Sphero BOLT Robots
    • 2 BOLT Educator Guide booklets
    • 30 Inductive charging cradles with USB cables
    • 30 Protractors with heading, directions, and clock
    • 30 Turbo covers
    • Maze tape and 248 stickers
  • Additional accessories needed for installation and use in your classroom

 

 

Little Bits Accessory Pack

  • Two littleBits Code Kit class packs (20 total kits) which includes:
    • USB power x20
    • Buttons x20
    • Dimmer x20
    • Slide Dimmer x20
    • Pressure Sensor x20
    • Sound Trigger x20
    • 3 wires x20
    • Branch x20
    • Code bit x20
    • Bargraph x20
    • Servo (cross axle) x20
    • Speaker x20
    • Round LED matrix x20
    • Durable Storage x20
    • Servo mount x20
    • bitShoes, hook & loop x240
    • Mechanical arm, cross axle x20
    • XL mounting board, x20
    • USB Plug x20
    • MicroUSB Cable x20
    • PowerSnap x60
    • Twist ties x20
  • Additional accessories needed for installation and use in your classroom

 

Boe-Bot Accessory Pack

  • 15 Boe-Bot Robot – USB Kits
  • 3 Small Robot Electronics Packs
  • 3 Small Robot Hardware Refresher Packs
  • 15 printed copies of robot guidebooks
  • 15 3-Function Infrared Universal Remotes
  • 15 Ping))) Mounting Bracket Kits
  • 15 Ping))) Ultrasonic Distance Sensors
  • 15 QTI Line Follower AppKits
  • 15 Gripper 3.0 attachments
  • Rechargeable AA batteries for the Boe-Bots
  • AA battery charger case
  • Additional accessories needed for installation and use in your classroom

 

3D Printing Accessory Pack

  • 10 Original mini Prusa 3D Printers
    • Removable spring steel sheets
    • Ethernet port and optional wi-fi
    • 8″ graphic 65k color screen with G-Code preview
    • SuperPinda probe
    • Safety Features
    • One-click printing
    • 32bit Controller STM32
  • 32 Spools of filament (assorted colors)
  • 10 3D Print Tool Kits which each include:
    • 1pcs-Knife Clean Up Kit (13 blades with 1 handle)
    • 2 Pieces of DIY Tweezers
    • 1pcs- Deburring Tool Handle
    • 2pcs-Pliers,
    • 1pcs-Electronic Digital Caliper,
    • 1pcs-Cutting Mat,
    • 10pcs- Cleaning Needles and 1x Container,
    • 3pcs-Mini Cleaning Brushes,
    • 1pcs-Glue Stick,
    • 1pcs- Removed Scarper,
    • 1pcs-Flat File,
    • 1x Trimming Knife w/ 10 Blades Set
  • Additional accessories needed for installation and use in your classroom
CIA aims to inspire Chicago students with contest for $30,000

CIA aims to inspire Chicago students with contest for $30,000

A teacher and students in Washington, D.C. just won $30,000 from the agency and a celebratory freakout like the one they had is coming to a Chicago classroom this year. The Mission Possible competition is open to third through twelfth graders. Video entries should explain how $30,000 will promote science, technology, engineering, art, or math learning.