Title:
The Use of Student Competitions to Teach Concrete Topics
Author(s):
Matthew K. Swenty, J. Chris Carroll
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
367
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
11-28
Keywords:
pedagogy, reinforced concrete, teaching methods, competition-based learning
DOI:
10.14359/51750589
Date:
3/1/2026
Abstract:
Using student competitions as an educational tool is complex but can be very effective in many classroom settings. Competitions can excite students, introduce interdisciplinary connections, provide interactions with the engineering community, and leave lasting impacts. This paper explores the use of competitions to teach concrete related topics. Sixteen different national competitions along with numerous local competitions and variations are presented. The complexity of the competitions and suggestions for implementation are covered. Many case studies are also included to demonstrate how to design a competition that can help students effectively learn concrete related topics.
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