AEM Selects Regional Winners in Construction Challenge Competition

Enlarge Image Students from Mahwah High School in Mahwah, N.J., competed in Glassboro, N.J., on Saturday in the Northeast Qualifying Rally of the first-ever national Construction Challenge. Photo provided by AEM/AP. Photo by Mark Stehle.

January 17, 2008 • Regional rally winners have been selected in the first-ever Construction Challenge competition, initiated by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Some 51 student teams have earned the chance to compete in the Construction Challenge finale taking place at CONEXPO-CON/AGG March 11-15, 2008, in Las Vegas, Nev.

AEM designed the challenge to expose students to new skills and future industry job opportunities, and to highlight infrastructure needs and industry contributions to quality of life. The association partnered with Destination ImagiNation Inc. to produce a hands-on educational experience that engages the interest of teens through creative and problem solving activities.   

 

Five regional rallies were held across the United States on Jan. 12. More than 150 teams comprised of more than 700 high school students participated. They came from 18 states to compete in one of the five rallies, held in Georgia, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin.

 

The winning teams are now preparing for the finale where they will compete for scholarships and prizes, get the chance to learn new skills and network with construction industry leaders.

 

“We were looking for a new way to reach young people, parents, teachers and counselors with the variety of career opportunities the construction industry has to offer,” said Al Cervero, AEM senior vice president. “The Construction Challenge is a great way to share that information and to educate the public about the growing demand for skilled workers.”

 

In the challenge, teams went head-to-head with other teams in three events. A debate-style format focused on a serious discussion about infrastructure issues related to roads, bridges, and clean water. In a “road warrior” segment, teams designed, selected construction materials, built and tested a small-scale structure in a short period of time. In the third segment, teams developed industry communications materials and programs.

Maximum Capacity Media, publisher of Lift and Access and Crane Hot Line magazines, will host a Construction Challenge 5K Run/Walk at ConExpo. Sponsored by Terex Corporation, the event will benefit the AEM Construction Challenge. For more information, visit www.constructchallengerun.com.