AEM Prepares for Construction Challenge

August 23, 2007 • The Milwaukee, Wis.-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) earlier this year announced a new program • the Construction Challenge • that uses a fun approach to introduce teenagers to construction and position the industry as a preferred career choice. The challenge activities will emphasize the importance of infrastructure renewal to our daily lives.

AEM initiated the Construction Challenge competition specifically to engage the interest of teens through a hands-on, educational experience. Nicole Hallada, AEM marketing director, said the Construction Challenge will help teenagers learn more about construction careers and construction equipment as well as the importance of construction's contributions to a quality infrastructure.

AEM has now partnered with another non-profit organization to make the Construction Challenge a reality. Destination ImagiNation, Inc., based out of Glassboro, N.J., works directly with an international volunteer network made up of educators and parents to develop and implement programs that teach creative problem solving and teamwork. Its annual Global Finals competition is the largest creativity competition of its kind held anywhere in the world.

Working together, AEM and Destination ImagiNation have set up the Construction Challenge as a team-based event for high school students in grades 9-12 or equivalent vocational/technical schools. Each team can have between five and seven members and is led by a volunteer adult team adviser.

The teams first compete in regional qualifying rallies, which will take place on Jan. 12, 2008, in six cities across the United States: San Francisco, Calif.; Atlanta, Ga.; Glassboro, N.J.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; and Milwaukee, Wis. A variety of challenges are being developed for the regional rallies that spotlight creativity and problem solving with an introduction to construction awareness. Each rally is expected to have about 36 teams, and all teams must compete in a regional rally in order to advance to the finals tournament. Sixty regional winning teams advance to the finals at AEM's CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 tradeshow in Las Vegas, Nev., which will be held March 11-15, 2008.

The AEM Construction Challenge has three components on which the teams will be scored, including head-to-head debate, a hands-on task related to a construction solution and a science-fair type competition. Between the regional rallies and the finals tournament, the student teams will work on the three components of the Construction Challenge, all involved with implementing a solution to a simulated infrastructure problem by using their knowledge of construction equipment.

“We want to expose the students to real world issues and want them to use teamwork, creativity and problem solving skills to develop real world solutions. And, at the show, they will have first hand exposure to the equipment and industry leaders,” Hallada said.

The debate or “Dialogue” component involves research-based talks and moderated discussion/debate of infrastructure issues with a focus on their relationship to quality of life, calling attention to the importance of the issue and lack of adequate funding mechanisms. In the hands-on task or “Road Warrior” segment, each team is given a box of “parts and pieces” and is to explore infrastructure issues and implement a solution with team-created “construction equipment” • (not real size), helping to illustrate the creative problem solving skills used in the industry. The science fair or “Product Development” competition focuses on research, design and development of marketing/communications that manufacturers can use to promote the industry and companies.

There will be three full days of challenge competition and closing recognition ceremonies, plus teams will have the opportunity to tour the show and meet with exhibitors. Winning teams at the finals will be recognized in a variety of ways. There will be first, second and third place finishers designated as Overall Construction Challenge Champions, as well as first through third place winners in the Dialog and Road Warrior components. There will be special awards for Product Development, including Daily People's Choice, Best in Show, Most Unique and Meets an Immediate Need.

A key area of support will be financial assistance for the teams advancing to the Construction Challenge finals in Las Vegas. After the regional winning teams have been selected, they will be assigned an AEM sponsor, whose sponsorship funds cover the travel, room and board associated with the trip to the finals competition at CONEXPO-CON/AGG. Sponsors include such companies as Genie Industries, Gehl Company, JLG Industries, Liebherr, Link-Belt, Manitowoc, Terex, and many more.

Although AEM membership encompasses off-road equipment manufacturing companies across a variety of market segments, the focus of the first Construction Challenge will be infrastructure and construction workforce issues.

Check the Construction Challenge website for details on sponsors, registering teams and a calendar of events and timetable at www.ConstructionChallenge.org. For more information on construction careers, including scholarship opportunities and local business resources, check www.ConstructMyFuture.com, the website initiated in 2001 by AEM with the Associated General Contractors of America and the AED Foundation.