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By Jeff Wilson<\/p>\n
For members of SIU\u2019s Concrete Canoe and Steel Bridge teams, it\u2019s all about the experience.<\/p>\n
Both teams, made up of dozens of engineering students, earned spots in the national championships. The Steel Bridge team has already competed, finishing 36th overall, at the University of Illinois. The Concrete Canoe team will be traveling to San Diego State University for its competition June 23-25.<\/p>\n
Each team represents the SIU chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Technical jargon aside, the teams follow particular parameters to build their structures and are judged based on a number of factors.<\/p>\n
![\"SIU](\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/steel-bridge-300x200.jpg\")
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\u201cThe students get to do all the actual planning,\u201d William Eichfeld, associate professor and faculty advisor for the teams, said. \u201cThey are in charge of the organizing, scheduling, design and creating. It allows them to face real-world issues, encourages teamwork and develops interpersonal and communication skills.\u201d<\/p>\n
Having teams that compete on a national level is important to student retention and recruitment.<\/p>\n
\u201cVisitors, including prospective students and parents, see the enthusiasm,\u201d Eichfeld said. \u201cThese teams help us produce better engineers, and they can see that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The teams are mainstays within the College of Engineering, each having been active for decades. The knowledge gained each year is passed down from class to class.<\/p>\n
For the Concrete Canoe team, this is only its third trip to the national competition. Of course, getting the team to San Diego is no small \u2013 or cheap \u2013 task.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe department does what it can,\u201d Eichfeld said. \u201cThe students use their own cars, and in many cases, pay for the trip themselves. There are some teams around the country that don\u2019t attend nationals simply because they can\u2019t afford it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ASCE Design Teams are in the midst of a crowdfunding campaign powered by the SIU Foundation\u2019s SalukiFunder website. The site allows secure gifts, of any amount, to be given in support of the teams. With about a week left in the campaign, they\u2019re still striving to reach their $15,000 goal. The money raised will be used to help pay for registration fees and the cost of travel.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur alumni are wonderful,\u201d Eichfeld said. \u201cThey come back and help judge competitions and regularly offer job applications to our students. Many stay very involved. By making even a small contribution to this cause, every alumni can help our students.\u201d<\/p>\n
To make a gift, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Engage with us on\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Jeff Wilson For members of SIU\u2019s Concrete Canoe and Steel Bridge teams, it\u2019s all about the experience. Both teams, made up of dozens of engineering students, earned spots in the national championships. The Steel Bridge team has already competed, finishing 36th overall, at the University of Illinois. The Concrete Canoe team will be traveling … Continue reading Design teams head to nationals, seek support<\/span>