"Western Kentucky University"
(6th place overall; 10th in paper; 4th in presentation; 1st in product)

Presentation:

The team consisted of one person dressed as a magician and one as a construction worker.  A third member joined the pair for the question and answer segment and the team was dressed nicely in polo shirts.

They discussed the management scenario and mentioned safety as a concern.  Videos and good quality still photographs were used to supplement the presentation.

The loading and boundary conditions used for the structural analysis were highlighted and the team presented shear and moment diagrams.  They described how they tested their reinforcement and showed some great shots of their experimental testing.  The team explained how shape memory alloys were used and even animated their data charts.

The judges began the question and answer session by asking the team to: "Tell us a little about your organizational structure and reporting procedures."  "How did the spreadsheet eliminate mixes with less than optimum water to cement ratios?"  "How were mixes eliminated from consideration?"

"How were the specific gravities of the aggregates determined and why were they reported with so many significant figures?"  "What quality control issues were addressed during the construction of the canoe?"

"What steps and products were used to waterproof your canoe?" and "What was the most innovative feature of your project?".  The judges ended the session by asking, "What are some of the attributes of your additives?"

Overall, this was a very strong presentation.  There were no major glitches and the judges seemed comfortable with the team’s responses.

Product:

Name: Illusion
Length: 21' 6"
Weight: 140 lb
Color: white and red

Vital Stats:

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

Canoe/Materials/Facts:

WKU's canoe was 3/8 thick.  It was billed by the team as being strong and fast and they employed fiberglass mesh and a shape memory alloy to reinforce their hull.