"Western Kentucky University"
(4th place overall)

Design Paper (7th):

Presentation (2nd):

WKU based their theme on evolution and was the only team to showcase their product on stage.  They started by overlaying composite sections over their boat and began their presentation with a musical score.

Dressed in lab coats, three male team members explained how their product was created.  They concentrated on gradation of aggregates and captured the audience's attention when they explained how they had reinforced and pre-stressed the hull with the help of memory shaped alloys.  As the presentation progressed, one team member removed the composite sections, thereby revealing the finished canoe.

The team was asked why it took ten years to come up with this canoe.  They were questioned on the shape memory effect, how it was developed, and how the materials they employed added strength to the hull.  The judges asked the team how they optimized the aggregate concentration and what their primary reinforcement was.  WKU took this opportunity to elaborate on their pre-stressed cables, stating that the cables were the primary reinforcement.

The judges asked WKU flat out why they thought that their canoe was the best in the competition.  Then, the team was asked how they controlled the placement of their concrete mix during casting.

For the first time in the history of the competition, a team member actually reversed the questioning process by asking one of the judges whether they were familiar with a process that he had mentioned.  This query was followed by questions from the judges regarding the team's management scenario.

In general, this was a very well orchestrated presentation with a lot of new ideas and a fresh approach.  The team was very confident during the question and answer session and seemed to take control of this effort.  This was definitely one of the best presentations made at nationals and our hats go off to WKU for placing a well deserved second in this category.

Product (2nd):

Name: Evolution
Length: 21.4'
Weight: 95 lb
Color: black, red, and white

Vital Stats:

Western Kentucky University, located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, was the representative from the Ohio Valley Region.  This was their eighth appearance at nationals.  It was the team's seventh consecutive appearance and their fourth place finish was their highest to date.

Display (1st):

Canoe/Materials/Facts:

WKU's canoe was built using lightweight concrete.  The team employed fiberglass mesh and a shape memory alloy to reinforce the hull.