A diverse group of more than 500 middle and high school students from Oregon and Southwest Washington will compete in Portland State University's 2008 Engineering Design Competition, sponsored by Portland State's Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science.

The Portland State Engineering Design Competition provides local middle and high school students the opportunity to engage in hands-on engineering projects, while also having fun. Teams from different schools will square off in competitions that include building bridges, mouse traps, straw towers and trebuchets, and creating edible cars. The competitions will be judged by student groups and organizations within the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science.

The design competition gives students the chance to see engineering in action and get hands-on experience. They will also have the opportunity to interact with Portland State faculty and students throughout the competition and participate in the Maseeh College Interactive Showcase. The showcase will include the Microgravity Capstone in conjunction with NASA, humanoid robots as well as assorted wireless devices.

The competitions, as well as the interactive showcase, will be held on Friday, February 22, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the small gymnasium of the Peter Stott Center, room 114 (930 SW Hall St.). For more information e-mail info@cecs.pdx.edu, or visit www.pdx.edu/cecs/events.html. Media interested in photos of the students in action should contact Kristen Nieman at 503-725-5030 or krisc@cecs.pdx.edu, and attend between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The awards ceremony starts at 2 p.m.

About PSU's Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science
Located in the heart of Oregon's Silicon Forest, PSU's Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science is uniquely positioned to deliver progressive engineering and computer science education. By teaming with regional industry and government, faculty members keep the curriculum current and prepare PSU students to make an immediate contribution to the workforce through participation in Senior Capstone design projects, internships and research opportunities. The Maseeh College consists of five departments: Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Engineering and Technology Management and Mechanical and Materials Engineering.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (#08-006)
Source: Kristen M. Nieman (503-725-5030)
Program Coordinator, Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science