Eric Sabel Of University Of Wisconsin-Stout Qualifies For National Technology Competition

2011 Nov 23

Eric Sabel of Kewaskum, Wis., was a member of the University Of Wisconsin-Stout's Technology Education Collegiate Association team that took first place in a competition in Kansas and qualified for the national tournament.

Sabel is majoring in technology education and graduated from Kewaskum High School.

The team won the problem-solving division at the 69th annual Four State Regional Technology Conference at Pittsburg State in Pittsburg, Kan.

The first place qualifies them for the International Technology and Engineering and Educators Association national tournament March 15-17 in Long Beach, Calif.

The team also took a second place in robotics and third places in transportation and Quiz Bowl. The two-day event began Thursday, Nov. 10.

"They did a great job representing UW-Stout," said Sylvia Tiala, TECA adviser and an assistant professor in the School of Education. UW-Stout offers a bachelor's degree in technology education.

Five other colleges competed: Pittsburg State, Fort Hays State, University of Wyoming-Casper, Wayne State-Nebraska and University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.

The conference, one of the oldest of its kind in the nation, included workshops and technology demonstrations. This year's theme was Advancing Technology Through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Innovation and Imagination.

UW-Stout, Wisconsin's Polytechnic University, is a special mission university in the UW System. The university has a long-standing reputation of serving business, industry, education and the helping professions through its specialized educational programs. Enrollment this year is 9,357.