Title: Using industry competition to augment student education
Date Published: May - June 2020
Volume: 65
Issue: 3
Page Numbers: 25 - 32
Authors: Austin D. Maue and Jill K. Walsh
https://doi.org/10.15554/pcij65.3-05

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Abstract

PCI annually sponsors the national PCI Engineering Design Competition, also called the Big Beam Contest. Student teams work with a PCI producer member to build a precast, prestressed concrete beam of a predetermined length. The competition combines design, construction, large-scale testing to failure, direct communication with practicing engineers, and technical report writing. This paper presents a case study of participation by a small private liberal arts institution in the PCI Big Beam Contest. Qualitative data of students’ perceptions of the competition is presented, as well as industry partners’ cost–benefit analysis of their participation, student perceptions of knowledge gained, and a reflection on how to build on the experience for future participants.