Gone Canoeing

NPCA Foundation Sponsors ASCE National Concrete Canoe Competition

For the second straight year, the NPCA Foundation sponsored the American Society of Civil Engineers National Concrete Canoe Competition. The event, held at Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colo., included 20 schools hailing from the U.S., Canada and China. During the competition, the Foundation hosted a hospitality tent for students where NPCA Foundation Board members and NPCA professional staff shared information about the precast concrete industry, job opportunities, and Foundation scholarships available for concrete canoe teams and students pursuing degrees related to the industry.

In addition to the Foundation’s involvement as a sponsor, NPCA Technical Services Engineer Kayla Hanson, P.E. served as a member of the five-person judging panel. As a judge, Hanson rated schools based on their design papers, oral presentations and canoes. Additionally, the schools’ performance during canoe races impacted their final scores.

Kayla Hanson, P.E., NPCA technical services engineer, served as a member of the five-person judging panel at the 2017 ASCE National Concrete Canoe Competition. Here, she examines University of Washington’s entry with Head Judge Christopher Humphreys.

As part of its involvement, the Foundation offers $500 scholarships to schools participating in the competition. Of the 13 schools awarded Foundation scholarships this year, three made it to nationals: Fairmont State, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and Milwaukee School of Engineering.

The Foundation will also sponsor the 2018 competition in San Diego next June and provide scholarships to participating schools.

“The ASCE Concrete Canoe Competition allows the NPCA Foundation to interact with hundreds of engineering students throughout the U.S. and beyond,” said Marti Harrell, executive director of the NPCA Foundation. “Many of the students have very little exposure to precast concrete during their college classes, so having the opportunity to meet with them face to face allows us to fill in the missing pieces of what they learn in materials and structures analysis classes in college.

“The Foundation Board is excited to get more involved with the regional competitions as well, and encourages NPCA members to reach out to universities in their areas competing in the event to provide materials and expertise for the canoe teams. It’s a great way to build an ongoing relationship with engineering schools and future specifiers.”

See the complete results from the 2017 competition and learn more about ASCE’s Concrete Canoe program here. You can also view more photos from the event by clicking the “View More Photos” button above.