Construction Challenge Winners Named

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has announced the winner of the AEM Construction Challenge presented by Volvo Construction Equipment. Miami Valley Career Technology Center in Clayton, Ohio, came out on top against 23 other teams of students, which competed in two challenges last week in Las Vegas, Nev., during ConExpo-Con/Agg.

The Construction Challenge allows students, teachers, parents and community leaders to learn more about the construction industry and the need for skilled employees to deal with infrastructure problems such as crumbling bridges, overcrowded roadways, and aging water and wastewater systems. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment in the construction industry is projected to increase by 1.3 million jobs by 2018.

The Road Rumble Challenge required each team to build a device that delivered construction materials from one location to another over rough terrain on a custom-designed course. The H2Oh Yeah! Challenge required students to answer questions in a game show format and then participate in a mini-challenge that involved solving real-world water infrastructure problems. Students used creative problem-solving skills, mathematics and engineering, and worked together as a team. The winning team received scholarships and a variety of prizes.

Overall Winners

1st Place - Miami Valley Career Technology Center, Clayton, Ohio, sponsored by Ohio CAT

2nd Place - Pearce and Richardson High Schools, Dallas, Texas, sponsored by Kobelco Cranes North America

3rd Place - Creekview, R.L. Turner and Newman Smith High Schools, Carrollton, Texas, sponsored by Liebherr

Road Rumble Challenge Winners

1st Place - Pearce and Richardson High Schools, Dallas, Texas, sponsored by Kobelco Cranes North America
2nd Place - Bartlett High School, Bartlett, Illinois, sponsored by Volvo Construction Equipment
3rd Place - Creekview, R.L. Turner and Newman Smith High Schools, Carrollton, Texas, sponsored by Liebherr

H2Oh Yeah! Challenge Winners

1st Place - Chippewa Falls Senior High School, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, sponsored by Astec Industries
2nd Place - William Henry Harrison High School, Harrison, Ohio, sponsored by Gorman-Rupp Company
3rd Place - Bartlett High School, Bartlett, Illinois, sponsored by Volvo Construction Equipment

Sponsors

The students are able to compete in the Construction Challenge thanks to the generosity of many sponsors along the way, including the regional rallies, the challenges, and the finals teams. Sponsoring organizations from the crane industry included Kobelco Cranes North America, Liebherr, Link-Belt Construction Equipment Co., Manitowoc, and the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators. In addition, Maximum Capacity Media, publisher of Crane Hot Line and Lift and Access magazines organized a 5K run as a benefit for the AEM Education Foundation to support the program.

More than 250 runners participated in the early morning race in Las Vegas on Mar. 23, which raised $5,000 for the Foundation. Doosan Infracore marketing manager Robert Gilles crossed the finish line just ahead of Arcelor marketing manager Brent Lesseuer, with a first place time of 15:38.

During the Construction Challenge Awards Ceremony held Thursday, Mar. 24, Guy Ramsey, president of Maximum Capacity Media presented the Corporate Cup award to Göran Lindgren, president and CEO of Volvo CE North America, for being the organization with the most participants in the race. In addition, the Globe Trotter award was given to Kieron Thompson, representing New Holland from Hazelbrook, NSW, Australia, who traveled the farthest to participate.

Upon presenting the $5,000 check to Dennis Slater, president of AEM, Ramsey said: “Three years ago we held the first 5K because we thought it was a good idea, but sitting in this room tonight and watching these young adults, makes it feel like a privilege to be able to stage a race to help fund this great program.”

Sponsors and partners of the AEM Education Foundation 5K Run can be viewed here.