FOR RELEASE: Monday, December 04, 2006
High School Students to Take Razorback Technology Challenge
Nearly 300 junior high and high school students will participate in the 2006 Razorback Technology Challenge on the University of Arkansas campus Wednesday, Dec. 6. Before coming to the challenge, students will design and build model CO2-powered dragsters, a bridge and other structures at their schools and bring them to Fayetteville to race, show and destroy in a test of basic engineering techniques. Three-member teams will take part in a problem-solving challenge in which they will be given instructions to design and construct a device with tools and materials provided. The events are sanctioned by the Technology Student Association, a 150,000-member national organization based in Reston, Va., whose goal is to promote technological literacy and leadership.
What: Technology and engineering competitions among high school students from Arkansas and Oklahoma
Competitive events: Designing and building a CO2-powered scale model of a 1960s or 1970s muscle car at the competitors' school and bringing it to be judged on the Fayetteville campus; designing and building a CO2-powered dragster at the competitors' school and bringing it to race on the Fayetteville campus; planning and laying out a graphic design based on the theme "TSA: Imagine It!"; building a bridge to be destructively tested; building a tower to be destructively tested; using design and engineering skills to develop a solution to a prescribed engineering problem. Trophies will be given to the first three places in each category, and trophies will be given to the three schools that accumulate the most first, second and third place finishes throughout the event.
When: 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. with awards ceremony at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 6. Detailed schedule below.
Where: Arkansas Union, Graduate Education Building auditorium and the George Combs Auditorium in Bell Engineering Center
Interview Opportunities: Organizers will be available to help media connect with participants.
Parking: Stadium Drive Parking Facility
Text: The College of Engineering and the College of Education and Health Professions are sponsoring the Razorback Technology Challenge with assistance from the Office of Admissions. Michael K. Daugherty, professor of vocational education in the College of Education and Health Professions, organized a similar annual competition at Oklahoma State University. The problem-solving challenge, in particular, fosters exceptionally creative thinking, he said.
"When I write problem-solving challenges for these events, I try to think of three or four different potential solutions, but these students always surprise me with their creativity," Daugherty said.
- 9-9:30 a.m. – Welcome, Arkansas Union ballroom
- 9:30-10:30 a.m. – Judging of graphic designs, Union 404
- 9:30-10:30 a.m. – Judging of dragster show car, Union red lounge
- 9:30 a.m.-finished – Racing of dragsters, Union Connections lounge
- 9:30 a.m.-finished – Testing of bridges and towers, Union 507-511
- 11 a.m. – Problem-solving challenge, Graduate Education Building auditorium, Bell Engineering Auditorium
- 12:15 p.m. – Lunch, Union
- 1 p.m. – Awards ceremony, Union ballroom
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Contact:
Michael K. Daugherty, professor of vocational education
College of Education and Health Professions
575-5119, mkd03@uark.edu
Heidi Stambuck, director of communications
College of Education and Health Professions
575-3138, stambuck@uark.edu