Students and faculty from three universities are traveling to Columbus, Ohio, on Feb. 24 to present precast concrete solutions to modern issues as part of the NPCA Foundation Student Design Competition.

Teams representing California State University-Chico, Mcneese State University and New Jersey Institute Of Technology will compete for the top prize of $7,000. CSU-Chico was the 2022 winner.

The Student Design Competition teaches future engineers, project specifiers and construction management personnel about the many uses, benefits and innovations available from the precast concrete industry. Students gain a unique opportunity to solve a real-world problem that involves production, delivery, budgeting, engineering and a last-minute change request from the customer.

As finalists, travel and hotel expenses are paid for by the NPCA Foundation. The student presentations will take place during The Precast Show, which is attended by more than 4,500 precast concrete industry representatives.

The Precast Show is hosted by the National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA) alongside participating associations the Precast/Prestressed Institute (PCI) and the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute/National Concrete Masonry Association (ICPI-NCMA).