The NPCA Foundation introduces the benefits of precast concrete careers to engineering students through scholarships, grants and working directly with universities to develop courses and labs focused on the industry.
During The Precast Show 2022 in Kansas City, the Foundation brought together students and faculty from New Jersey Institute of Technology, California State University-Chico, University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, Kansas State University, McNeese State University and Idaho State University to offer educational, instructional and social opportunities.
Chico Wins Student Competition
The NPCA Foundation’s fourth annual Student Design Competition featured high quality analysis and presentations by the teams from Cal State-Chico and NJIT.
Students were given a project for the SH 119 Underpass at Hover Street in Longmont, Colo. Student teams then tackled a scenario for plant production capability and presented their proposals that included all aspects of the box culvert underpass design, a QA/QC plan, transportation and installation instructions to a panel of industry judges. The judges were Andy Hayward of Panhandle Concrete Products, Magda Muka of Titan 3000 Precast Management System, Alex Burkhart of Smith-Midland Corp and Daryl Burns of NPCA. The project was provided by Panhandle Concrete Products.
Following the presentations, Hayward presented the solution that ultimately was used by his company to complete the project.
Cal State-Chico won and received $5,000 for its school’s program and $2,000 for the student team to share. Chico team members were Bryson Bowen, Eric Bermudez, Zack Corral, Aiyana Ruby Santillan, Nick Cervelli and Yanetli Navarro.
NJIT received $4,000 for its school’s program and $1,200 for the team to share.
Look for the 2023 problem statement later this spring, and encourage students in your community to get involved. If your company has a project that would be good for a student competition challenge, contact Marti Harrell at mharrell@precast.org.
Silent Auction Sets Record
The 10th annual NPCA Foundation/PCI Foundation Silent Auction was a record-breaker in terms of donated items and winning bid totals thanks to the generosity of donors and bidders alike. The Silent Auction raised $81,769, which will benefit the missions of the NPCA Foundation and PCI Foundation.
Donors and winners will be contacted by NPCA staff to finalize the details of the shipment of items. Start thinking about your donation ideas for the 2023 auction at The Precast Show in Columbus, Ohio.
Foundation Board meeting
The NPCA Foundation Board of Directors meeting at The Precast Show included reports from five universities that have received grants from the Foundation and NPCA. These schools included NJIT, Idaho State, McNeese State, Cal State-Chico and Kansas State. With the grants provided by the Foundation and NPCA, these universities have created precast-specific curriculum and labs for undergraduate and graduate students in construction management, engineering, architecture and concrete industry management.
The NPCA Foundation also is working with faculty at each of these schools to explore avenues to share their curriculum with other schools and to create certificate programs for concrete technicians.
Want to know more or get share information about these programs with your local university or vocational school? Contact Foundation Executive Director Marti Harrell at mharrell@precast.org.
Leave a Reply