Razorback Technology Challenge Draws Youth to University of Arkansas Campus on Dead Day

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Jade Edwards, a high school student from Roland, Okla., won last year's graphic design competition at the Razorback Technology Challenge. Competitors this year will go home with a T-shirt adorned with her design.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Competitors from Arkansas and Oklahoma junior high schools and high schools will converge on the University of Arkansas campus on Wednesday, Dec. 9, for the Razorback Technology Challenge.

The challenge, in its fourth year to be held on Dead Day on the Fayetteville campus, gives students a chance to showcase projects they have been working on all year in technology education and pre-engineering classes, said Vinson Carter, one of the organizers. Dead Day provides a break for university students between the end of regular classes and the beginning of final exams.

There are about 530 high school and junior high students registered to compete in the Razorback Technology Challenge this year, compared to 350 last year. Students are coming from as far away as Russellville to join many local students from Fayetteville, Bentonville, Rogers and Springdale.

Participants will engage in several activities such as building and racing dragsters, building and testing bridges, creating graphic designs, and competing in the technology quiz bowl and the problem-solving challenge. The problem-solving challenge will deal with renewable energy technology. Trophies will be presented to the winners of each section and for the school with the overall best representation.

The College of Engineering and the College of Education and Health Professions co-sponsor the event with additional assistance from the offices of admissions and pre-college programs. It has also served as a recruiting tool with several students who attended previous challenges now enrolled in the technology education and engineering programs at the university.

“Our goal is to encourage student interest in technology and engineering careers,” said Bryan Hill, assistant dean of student recruitment and international programs for the College of Engineering. “We want this experience to provide a true collegiate feel.”

“The competition helps students build their leadership and teamwork skills as well as allowing them to show off their technical knowledge,” said Carter, a clinical instructor of technology education.

This year the event will have a twist. Competitors will receive a T-shirt featuring the design of Jade Edwards, a Roland, Okla., high school student who won last year's graphic design competition at the event. The design by Edwards features three interlocking, orbital circles and text with a cog in the center, all in red.

“This is the first year we have had the winning graphic design used as the T-shirt design for the following year,” Carter said. “There will be 600 people who get that T-shirt. I think that would be pretty exciting for any high school student. ”

Schedule of events

9-9:30 a.m. – Welcome, Union Ballroom

9:30-10:30 a.m. – Judging of graphic designs, Union Red Lounge

9:30 a.m.-finished – Technology quiz bowl

9:30 a.m.-finished – Racing of dragsters, Union Connections Lounge

9:30 a.m.-finished – Structural challenge

11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – Problem-solving challenge

12:30 to 1:15 p.m. – Lunch, Union Food Court

1:30 p.m. – Awards ceremony, Union Ballroom