"New Mexico State University"
(17th place overall; 14th in paper; 21st in presentation; 22nd in product)

Presentation:

Three men and two women dressed in semi-formal attire gave the presentation.  After introducing the team, they gave the rational for selecting the name and outline the goals of the project.   

The background for selecting the hydrodynamic design was described and it was explained how a problem involving a hydraulic jump was solved.  The problem was nicely demonstrated by showing video clips.  

The mix design was described and the techniques for creating the mold were outlined.  Videos were shown to demonstrate how the canoe was cast.

Questions posed to the team were as follows:  "Why was a 1/10 scale model used?" and "What was the water velocity used in the flow tank?".  

"What was the most enjoyable portion of the project?"  "What items were selected to be on the critical path and how were they identified?"

Then, the judges questioned the schedule citing when repairs were made.  The judges asked whether the air in the team's mix was entrained or entrapped.  

"What loading conditions were considered while evaluating the design?"  "Why was perlite used as one of the aggregates in the mix?"

"What type of quality control measures were integrated into the construction process?"  "How was the amount of rocker determined?"

Finally, the judges asked the team to compare their design expectations to those that were actually achieved.

 Product:

Name: La Patriota
Length: 20'
Weight: 160 lb
Color: gray

Vital Stats:

New Mexico State University is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The team has competed three times at the national level and proudly represented the Rio Grande Region.  Their highest finish to date was
fourteenth in 1991.

Canoe/Materials/Facts:

The team created an asymmetrical, hybrid design incorporating elements of racing canoes and sailing yachts.  Concrete was laid in sheets like paper mache.