Civil engineering students from across the country will gather in Clemson, SC, June 25 to 27, to achieve the seemingly impossible: make a concrete boat float.

Each year, the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) National Concrete Canoe Competition gives students the opportunity to learn teamwork, challenge themselves mentally and physically, and apply engineering knowledge they gain in the classroom to a fun, “real world” project.

More than 250 teams work throughout the year to qualify for the national competition, and in the process gain hands-on experience working with concrete mix designs, and learn the properties of various materials that can be added to concrete to influence performance.

The 2005 competition is organized by the ASCE and sponsored by Degussa Admixtures Inc., with additional sponsor support from Baker Concrete Construction, CEMEX, Pennoni Associates Inc., SI Concrete Systems, 3M Specialty Materials Division and U.S. Silica Company. The event will be hosted by Clemson University.

“The 2005 competition will be outstanding for the students because of the additional support and participation of the broad cross section of construction materials companies who have signed on this year as co-sponsors,” remarked Mike Shydlowski, president and CEO, of Degussa Admixtures Inc.

“It is our goal to ensure that this event provides students with exposure to a wide view of the construction materials industry and how various products can be used in new and creative applications.”

The competition will include both academic and race events. Teams must submit a design paper, and prepare and deliver a business presentation describing their project. Points also are earned for the aesthetics and durability of final product, and a cross section detailing construction materials and methods.

The five race events — women’s slalom/endurance, men’s slalom/endurance, women’s sprint, men’s sprint, co-ed sprint — account for only 30 percent of the overall scoring.

Winners from 20 regional competitions held each spring throughout the United States qualify for the National Competition, where they will compete for $9,000 in scholarship money made possible by the sponsors’ support.

For more information, call 216/839-7071, 703/295-6406 or visit www.asce.org/inside/nccc2005/index.cfm.

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