Since 2009, the Iowa State University National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Student Chapter has been competing in a competition sponsored by ELECTRI International and NECA. This year, student chapters in the United States and Canada are participating in the Electrical Contracting Innovation Challenge (ECIC), a design competition challenging teams to solve problems in new, innovative ways. Teams are challenged to submit an electrical construction bid package and schedule for a simulated 51,000 square foot Emerson Student Center on their respective campuses.
Iowa State’s team, Cyclone Energy, is comprised of eight construction engineering students from the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering (CCEE). The team has been working all spring semester to review contract documents, collaborate with each other, and interact with NECA contractors and affiliates, and to create a 40-page proposal. On April 29, the team will submit the proposal and be judged by electrical industry professionals across the U.S. The top three teams will present their solutions at the National NECA Convention in Austin, Texas in mid-October.
Cyclone Energy is coached by Jenny Baker, teaching professor in construction engineering and Dr. Beth Hartmann, teaching professor in the Program for Women in Science and Engineering. The team pictured from left to right is Luke Eggers, Clare Holden, Zach Clausing, Mitchell Hayes, Lucas Gilman, Megan Lingafelter, Noah Wempen, and Ty Turner. The team is sponsored by the Iowa Chapter NECA.