Learn about an exciting free opportunity for your students!
Come enjoy this presentation, including information from the team representing Iowa at the 2012 National RWDC Event - they're excited to share their experiences with you. Feel free to invite interested students to join you for this session as well. It's a great way to get them excited about the Challenge! What is the Real World Design Challenge?
The Real World Design Challenge (RWDC) is an annual high school competition run by a public-private partnership with the goal of sustainably increasing the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) workforce.
Teams of 3-7 secondary school students design a plane looking at the forces of flight, lift, weight, thrust and drag with the goal of enhancing performance and fuel efficiency. Each team is supported by professional mentors.
How much does it cost?
The Challenge is free to teachers and students.
Each teacher receives $1 million in professional engineering software and teams gain access to professional mentors. Thirty-nine governors have supported the "Governor's Challenge" at the state level. The national competition is held each year in Washington D.C.
The Challenge is "Real World" in the following ways:
- Real Problem: An industry defined problem provides a practical application of classroom curricula.
- Real Tools and Resources: Inspire students by showing them what is at their fingertips.
- Real Roles for Students: Require teamwork, leaderships, innovation and problem solving skills.
- Real Contribution: Students can make a difference, solving industry-based problems.
Help? I don't want to do this alone.
The RWDC partners bring a broad base of resources and expertise from business, government, and academia. Numerous designers, mentors, and judges from across industry, government, and academia have been key to the success of the program by donating their expertise to design the Challenge, share their knowledge with students, and evaluate the students work.
The RWDC students have received recognition for their work from leaders of government, industry and education.
How can I learn more and get my students involved?
Attend this ICN session presented by Yvette McCulley, Science Consultant for the Iowa Department of Education. She will explain the Challenge, and how you can partner or get involved with your students.
