Winners Announced for Annual AEM Construction Challenge Student Competition

Fourteen student teams from the United States and Canada have won the 2011 edition of the annual AEM Construction Challenge presented by Volvo Construction Equipment. The annual challenge is held at the Global Finals of Destination ImagiNation (DI). The 2011 event took place May 25-28 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

AEM along with DI developed the Construction Challenge to engage students through a hands-on, educational experience that introduces them to construction careers such as engineers, equipment technicians and manufacturing professionals. In addition to the annual challenge, AEM also conducts a challenge program at the triennial CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE international trade exhibitions.

This year’s AEM Construction Challenge at DI Global Finals in Knoxville was titled “Unidentified Moving Object” and teams had to design and build equipment that moved various materials to and from towering heights; start and end their presentations with the equipment contained in a storage box; create and present a sales promotion highlighting features of the equipment — and complete all of these tasks with no AC electrical power.

“What an amazing experience; it was like a call went out for hard-working, innovative problem-solvers who could work well together and then they made an 8,000-person all-star team.  We’re very proud to be a part of this; it was a glimpse of what the future of our industry can be and what we hope it will be,” said Paul Parker, senior marketing specialist with Volvo Construction Equipment.

AEM initiated the Construction Challenge program to offer an opportunity for students, teachers, parents and community leaders to learn more about rewarding industry career paths and the important role of construction equipment in creating and maintaining the high quality of life enjoyed in North America and Europe as well as by increasing numbers in the developing world.

“Through the AEM Construction Challenge, students can experience jobs that are in high-demand like repair technician, equipment operator and design engineers. Their interest is piqued when they see how modern the technology is. And, after they understand that these careers improve our quality of life and pay well, they get passionate about working in the industry, and that's how we know that we’ve made an impact,” said Al Cervero, AEM senior vice president.

Winning Teams for the 2011 AEM Construction Challenge at Global Finals-Destination Imagination

First Place Teams

Elementary Level — (tie) Kimberly Elementary School in Redlands, California & Cypress-Fairbanks ISD in Houston, Texas

Middle Level – Orono Middle School in Orono, Maine

Secondary Level – (tie) Lanesville High School in Lanesville, Indiana & Cherry Creek School District in Aurora, Colorado

University Level – University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Second Place Teams

Elementary Level – Hamilton Southeastern School District in Fishers, Indiana

Middle Level – Deerfield Public Schools in Deerfield, Indiana

Secondary Level – Academy of Science and Technology in Conroe, Texas

University Level – James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia

Third Place Teams

Elementary Level — (tie)Woodland Elementary School in Eagan, Minnesota & Delano

Elementary School in Delano, Minnesota

Middle Level – Carmichael Middle School in Richland, Washington

Secondary Level – St Michael's College School in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

About AEM

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) 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. For more information, visit www.aem.org.

About Volvo Construction Equipment

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) 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/na/en-us/.

About Destination ImagiNation Inc.

Destination ImagiNation Inc., a 501 c3 non-profit organization based in Glassboro, NJ, provides numerous creative problem solving and critical thinking skills programs for people of all ages, from its Rising Stars program for ages 4-6, through its flagship programs for high school and middle school youth, to college-level challenges and corporate team building programs featuring creative problem solving for executives. For more information, visit www.destinationimagination.org.