High school students to compete in Milwaukee Construction Challenge Rally
| Published: 01/11/2011 |
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Teams of high school students from across Wisconsin, Illinois and North Dakota will compete in the Milwaukee Construction Challenge Rally on Saturday, Jan. 15 at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). More than 100 students from Bradley Tech High School (Milwaukee), Hamilton High School (Milwaukee), Brookfield (Wis.) Central High School, Sheboygan (Wis.) South High School, Chippewa Falls (Wis.) High School, Delavan-Darien (Wis.) High School, Lomira (Wis.) High School, Union Grove (Wis.) High School, Lake Geneva (Wis.) Schools, Bartlett (Ill.) High School, Warren Township High School (Gurnee, Ill.) and Northern Cass School (Hunter, N.D.) have registered for the competition.
The Construction Challenge blends the creative problem-solving methodology of Destination ImagiNation with problems from the real world from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) to create a program that engages youth in a fun learning e
xperience and exposes them to new careers in the construction industry. At the Regional Rallies, students will use their creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills to devise solutions to engaging industry-related challenges. Students will have the opportunity to interact with industry representatives/professionals as well as professors and students from MSOE's Office of Servant Leadership.
This year, teams will devise solutions to three hands-on challenges based on water and transportation infrastructure issues during the day-long Regional Rally. More than 2,000 students on 400 teams will be competing across North America. The top 24 teams, including two from the Milwaukee rally, will advance to the Championship Finals in March 2011 in Las Vegas at CONEXPO-CON/AGG, the largest trade show in the world.
Rita Richardson, leader for the Milwaukee Rally says, "Watching these young people work together to figure out ways to solve a problem is amazing. Challenges presented at the rally are designed to engage students in real world problems, but require no prior experience or particular curriculum. Teachers, program managers and business representatives who have witnessed the engagement of the students at the Construction Challenge Regional Rallies have been inspired by the creative solutions as well as the energy and excitement demonstrated."
The Construction Challenge was created in 2007 as a response to the severe shortage of qualified workers to meet future construction needs. Since its inception, the program has directly engaged 3,000 middle school and high school students across North America, and the program and its messages have made a global impression on more than 18 million students. Nearly 70 percent of Construction Challenge participants said they are now considering a career in construction. Learn more about the Construction Challenge at http://www.constructionchallenge.org/.
"The prosperity of our industry very much depends on the availability of a qualified workforce. We at Volvo are committed to supporting efforts that develop the workforce of tomorrow," said Göran Lindgren, president of Volvo Construction Equipment North America. "We look forward to working with AEM and Destination ImagiNation on promoting the value of construction and the construction industry in communities across North America through the Construction Challenge."
"We have already seen the benefits of offering a competition such as Construction Challenge to youth, and our partnership with Destination ImagiNation has been a tremendous success," said Dennis Slater, AEM president.
Produced by AEM and Destination ImagiNation, with presenting sponsor Volvo Construction Equipment, the Construction Challenge competition returns for 2011 to encourage high school students to explore and pursue careers in the construction industry. Aring Equipment, of Butler, Wis., is the local sponsor of the Milwaukee Rally. Milwaukee is host to one of only nine regional rallies in North America, with the others held the same day in Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Enid, Okla., Seattle, Toronto, and Richmond, Va. More than 50 volunteers from MSOE and local industry will be on hand to support the Milwaukee Rally.
About MSOE
MSOE is an independent university with 2,600 students. MSOE offers 18 bachelor's degrees and 10 master's degrees in the engineering, engineering technology, architectural engineering and building construction, computer, business, nursing and health-related fields. The university has a national academic reputation; longstanding ties to business and industry; dedicated professors with real-world experience; and extremely high placement rates and starting salaries. MSOE graduates are well-rounded, technologically experienced and highly productive professionals and leaders.
About Destination ImagiNation Inc.
Destination ImagiNation Inc. is a global non-profit organization that produces educational and cause-based programs for students to learn and experience creativity, teamwork and problem solving. Every year, Destination ImagiNation reaches 100,000 students across the U.S. and in more than 30 countries. Visit http://www.idodi.org/ for more information.
About Association of Equipment Manufacturers
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers is the international trade and business development resource for companies that manufacture equipment, products and services used worldwide in the construction, agricultural, mining, forestry and utility fields. In addition, AEM members provide services to these dynamic industries, including equipment financing, trade magazines, equipment auctions and consulting services. For more information, visit http://www.aem.org/.
About Volvo Construction Equipment
Volvo Construction Equipment is a major international company developing, manufacturing, and marketing equipment for the construction and related industries. Its products, leaders in many world markets, include a comprehensive range of wheel loaders, hydraulic excavators, articulated haulers, motor graders, soil and asphalt compactors, pavers, milling machines, compact wheel loaders and excavators, and skid steer and backhoe loaders. Volvo CE is part of the Volvo Group. For more information, visit www.volvo.com/constructionequipment.