Academic Teams & Competitions

List of 7 items.

• Euro Challenge

  The Euro Challenge is a national competition for 9th and 10th grade students. The MSMA team prepares and gives an oral presentation that requires them to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the European economy and the Euro, the currency shared by many of the countries in the European Union. A strong interest in economics and international affairs is required. Tryouts may be required for seven-person team.

• Fed Challenge

  The High School Fed Challenge offers the opportunity for 11th and 12th grade students to develop skills in teamwork, research, data literacy, and analytical writing. Student teams author economics research papers and pursue recognition in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Journal of Future Economists. A background in economics is essential and tryouts may be require

• Forensics Speech & Debate

  Forensics is the Speech and Debate Team for Mount Saint Mary Academy. The team competes against other New Jersey high school teams on Saturdays (1-2 times per month) culminating in the national tournament (if qualifying) on Memorial Day weekend. Students meet weekly to research, practice, and improve their performance. Speech events range from limited preparation 4-minute talks on current events (extemporaneous speaking) to dramatic performance where students recreate powerful moments for an audience. Debate events include Lincoln-Douglas or Public Forum where an individual or team researches and prepares arguments to convince a judge that their side of the resolution is more valid to Student Congress; students compete against other “senators” in arguing for or against legislation.

• Junior States of America (JSA)

  The Junior State of America (JSA) is a non-partisan youth organization. The purpose of JSA is to help high school students acquire leadership skills and the knowledge necessary to be effective debaters and civic participants. JSA is a club where students build leadership skills, learn civil debate, and strengthen their engagement in activism. Students will have an opportunity to enhance these skills at JSA conferences locally and at the winter convention in Washington, DC. There are many activities within this organization that will be done virtually with other chapters and in person.

• Mock Trial

  Success often depends on how persuasive you can be, and Mock Trial is a great opportunity to learn the art of making an argument! Students work throughout the season to prepare a case as lawyers, witnesses, and jurors, and compete in a mock trial at the Somerset County Courthouse.

• NASA Hunch

  NASA Hunch is a high school outreach program from NASA. The teams participate in the design and protyping competition and the culinary arts competition. The students perform research on a task and then present their research paper and products to a team of regional judges. The team is assisted by Dr. Stephen Tse, Professor of Engineering at Rutgers University.

• Robotics Club

  FTC Robotics compete in the Upper Central League of the NJ First Tech Challenge. Students must build a robot to perform set tasks as set out by the FTC. Robotics teams include programmers, robot handlers, designers and builders. The team participates in 3-4 meets on the weekends per season.