Students from Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Washington and Michigan Win the 2010 National Construction Challenge
More than 1,000 Schools from the U.S., Canada and Abroad Competed for Title
2011 Competition Returns to CONEXPO-CON/AGG; Sponsors Signing Up Now
Knoxville, Tenn. – Students from Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Washington and Michigan won the 2010 AEM Construction Challenge presented by Volvo Construction Equipment during the Global Finals competition of Destination ImagiNation. The students competed with more than 1,0000 other teams from around the United States and other countries for the title. The competition took place May 26-29 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
This year’s AEM Construction Challenge asked each student team to build a device that effectively delivered construction materials over a barrier to targets they were unable to see, which required innovation, mathematics, and engineering and design skills. The winning team moved the most material, faster than all the other competing teams.
Team photos are available here (see Closing Ceremony link). To arrange an interview with a winning team, please contact Kathleen Shea-Porter at
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or 703-276-2772, ext. 14.
2010 AEM Construction Challenge Results
1st Place Teams
Elementary – Sheboygan Christian School, Sheboygan, WI
Middle – John Glenn Middle School, Bedford, MA
Secondary – Tahoma Senior High School, Covington, WA
College – Ravenna Public Schools, Ravenna, MI
2nd Place Teams
Elementary – White Bluffs Elementary School, Richland, WA
Middle – Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, Toronto, ON
Secondary – Londonderry High School, Londonderry, NH
College – Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY
3rd Place Teams
Elementary – Andrews Elementary School, Plano, TX
Middle – Otte Blair Middle School, Blair, NE
Secondary – Wylie High School, Abilene, TX
College – St. Michaels College in the University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) initiated the AEM Construction Challenge in 2007 as a response to the severe shortage of qualified workers to meet future construction needs. As a sign of its success, Volvo Construction Equipment signed on as the presenting sponsor of the competition.
“It takes time to build an understanding with young people so they can see how our industry creates a quality of life and makes us globally competitive,” said Al Cervero, senior vice president at AEM. “It takes a constant communication to ‘move the needle’ and the Construction Challenge is one big important way to accomplish that goal. We congratulate each team that participated in 2010 and we look forward to seeing them in 2011 in Las Vegas at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG exposition, where the entire construction industry will have a chance to meet this new generation.”
The AEM Construction Challenge offers a chance for students, teachers, parents and community leaders to learn more about the construction industry and the need for skilled employees to deal with infrastructure problems that include 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.
Göran Lindgren, president of Volvo Construction Equipment North America, explained that Volvo is committed to helping tomorrow’s workers develop the right skills now. “The prosperity of our industry very much depends on the availability of a qualified workforce. We at Volvo are committed to supporting efforts that develop the workforce of tomorrow. We look forward to working with AEM on promoting the value of construction and the construction industry in communities across North America," Lindgren said.
The AEM Construction Challenge blends the creative problem-solving methodology of Destination ImagiNation with subject matter from AEM to create a program that engages youth in a fun learning experience and exposes them to new careers in the construction industry. After the first year, nearly 70 percent of AEM Construction Challenge participants said they are now considering a career in construction.
The finals of the 2011 AEM Construction Challenge presented by Volvo Construction Equipment will return to where it began: the CONEXPO-CON/AGG exhibition in Las Vegas in March 2011. This international gathering place for the construction industry showcases the latest equipment, products, services and technologies and is one of the largest trade shows in North America of any industry. AEM is show producer and a show owner.
To get involved in the Construction Challenge, visit www.constructionchallenge.org or contact AEM’s David Bannister at
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or 414-274-0657.
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 on AEM, 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.
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, visit: www.destinationimagination.org.
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