Despite unexpected challenges, such as a canoe that cracked in half, the University of Evansville’s Concrete Canoe team earned 12th place overall in the American Society of Civil Engineers National Concrete Canoe Competition — the team’s second highest finish in its 12-year history.

The 25th annual competition took place June 14-16 at the University of Nevada, Reno. Twenty-two teams from some of the top engineering schools in the United States and Canada competed and were judged on the design, construction, innovative features, and racing ability of each concrete canoe.

UE’s 17-member team finished seventh in the technical paper category, 10th in oral presentation, 13th in the races, and 12th overall. UE was the smallest school and the only private American university that qualified for the competition.

One harrowing moment came before the last race on Saturday, when UE’s purple and gray canoe, Tempest (measuring 20 feet long and weighing 250 pounds) cracked in half as team members climbed in.

Thanks to help from several other universities’ Concrete Canoe teams and plenty of duct tape, Tempest was patched up in time for the Aces to complete their final race.

“This year, our students not only proved that they can excel in the academic and athletic portions of the competition, but also that they can think and act quickly to solve problems,” said Mark Valenzuela, UE associate professor of civil engineering and the team’s faculty advisor. “I’m so proud of their hard work and dedication, and know this experience will serve them well in their future careers as civil engineers.”

Last year, UE hosted the National Concrete Canoe Competition and was the smallest school ever invited to do so. This year marks the third time in the past four years that UE has qualified for nationals.

For more information on the 25th Annual ASCE National Concrete Canoe Competition, please visit www.asce.org/concretecanoe.

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EPD Activity Report June 19, 2012

The Southwest Indiana STEM Resource Center (SwISTEM) at the University of Southern Indiana is expanding its SeaPerch, underwater robotics, program to more schools in 2013. The expansion is made possible through a $4,500 grant from the Posey County Community Foundation. The grant will provide funds for instructional workshops, robotics kits, and team registration fees for as many as 25 teams in Posey County schools.

SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that trains educators to teach their students in grades 5-12 how to build an underwater vehicle. Students follow a curriculum that teaches basic engineering and science concepts using remotely operated vehicles built from kits provided by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Division. NSWC-Crane partners with USI on programs to advance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.

Through the grant, up to 25 teachers will attend a one-day workshop introducing them to SeaPerch curriculum and competition rules and guidelines. Additionally, 25 kits will be purchased for teams.

“This grant will open the door for schools that couldn’t afford to create a team or hadn’t thought about trying to form a team,” saidAllison Grabert,interim director of the Southwest Indiana STEM Resource Center in USI’s Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.

USI’s SeaPerch program is available to schools across southern Indiana. In 2012, 26 high school and 42 middle school teams participated, including Marrs Elementary School and North Posey High School in Posey County. “We’re excited about extending the SeaPerch experience to even more Posey County students,” said Grabert. “This is now possible due to this generous funding.”

The next competition is tentatively scheduled for February 2013 at the Mount Vernon Junior/Senior High School natatorium. This will be the third year USI has hosted the regional competition—part of the larger national SeaPerch competition.

EPD Activity Report June 16, 2012