Several universities challenge and engage student design/plan/build competitions and support student organizations for future design/construction industry professional, such as NAHB Student Chapters. National competitions, such as the Solar Decathlon and a new DOE Best in Housing Design Competition engage students in advanced building science and technologies. Examples of such competitions include:
- DOE Race to Zero Student Design Competition
- NAHB Student Chapter Competitions
- DOE Solar Decathlon
- ASC Regional Student Competitions
- DOE Better Buildings Case Competition
- AEI Student Design Competition
- ASHRAE Student Design Competition
- Others
Student projects, whether competition or capstone projects, focus students on the many knowledge, skill and ability requirements that they will face working in the industry that might not be adequately addressed in the classroom. These projects drive students to gain that extra knowledge needed for a successful project that is also critical to the real world workplace.
The Joint Committee would participate in developing the building science technical resources and criteria for the US Department of Energy university competitions for high performance home design and development. Further, the University Consortium and Joint Committee will support universities in enhancing the quality of their building science education programs – increasing the learning benefits if they choose to compete in DOE or Affiliate competitions.
The NAHB Student Chapter from Michigan State University receives the first-place trophy for winning the Four-Year Colleges Category of the Residential Construction Management Competition at the 2013 NAHB International Builders’ Show.
