ESD STEM Students Advance to National Semifinals at Washington Conference
August 5, 2026
Five Upper School students represented The Episcopal School of Dallas (ESD) on an international stage at the Technology Student Association (TSA) National Conference in Washington, D.C., from June 21–26. The event marked the first time ESD has competed at the prestigious gathering, which drew nearly 6,000 middle and high school science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) leaders from around the world.
The participating ESD delegation included Harrison Adams ’26, Leo Chang ’28, Luke Crowhurst ’28, Jeffrey Fu ’27, and Hunter Henderson ’28. Over six days, the students tested their engineering, problem-solving, and leadership skills against top-tier international talent.
Competition Highlights and Achievements
- Tech Bowl Semifinalists: The team of Adams, Chang, and Fu delivered a standout performance in the fast-paced Tech Bowl competition, advancing to the national semifinals.
- TEAMS Competition: Following strong showings at the Texas state level, ESD fielded two national teams for the Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science (TEAMS) competition. Team C featured Crowhurst and Henderson, while Team D comprised Adams, Chang, and Fu. Both teams tackled a multi-part challenge that included a two-hour STEM concept exam, a hands-on design-and-build challenge, and a formal presentation.
- Structural Engineering and Dragster Design: Crowhurst and Henderson partnered for the hands-on Structural Engineering competition while also competing individually in the CO2 Dragster design event.
Leadership and Global Connection
Beyond the academic events, ESD students participated in Texas state delegation meetings and networked with peers from across the globe. Notably, Henderson represented the school at the TSA President’s Meeting, an exclusive gathering for chapter leadership.
"Representing ESD on a national level alongside thousands of peers from around the world was an incredible experience," said Tanya Snook, Engineering, Architecture and Real Estate Curriculum Network Coordinator and Upper School Engineering Teacher. “Our students gained invaluable hands-on experience, forged lifelong connections, and showed that ESD can compete with the best in the world. We are excited to build on this momentum for next year."
Building on the success of their inaugural national appearance, ESD plans to expand its TSA program and return to the competition stage next year. Way to go, Eagles!
