"Canstruction" Event Will Build Engineering Skills, Fight Hunger
For release: February 9, 2010
For press information, contact Dr. Stephanie Ivey, 901-678-3286

Teams from 10 high schools in Memphis and Shelby County will build amazing structures from cans of food as part of the “Canstruction” competition on Friday, Feb. 12, at the University of Memphis.  Participating schools are Christian Brothers, Collierville, East, Germantown, Harding Academy, St. Agnes Academy, St. George’s Independent School, St. Mary’s Episcopal School, Whitehaven, and White Station.

The competitors will assemble their structures between 9 a.m. and noon in the lobby of the Herff College of Engineering (second floor of the Engineering Administration Building), at the corner of Central Avenue and Zach Curlin Street. Judging will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m., followed by an awards ceremony. The structures will remain on display through Feb. 17.

Coordinated by the Society for Design Administration, “Canstruction” is held in cities throughout North America. Teams of architects, engineers and students, mentored by professionals, design and build giant structures entirely from full cans of food. After the event, the cans are donated to local food banks for distribution through their programs. Details about the national program are available online at www.canstruction.com

This is the fourth year for the Memphis event. To date, the competition has contributed more than 40,000 pounds of food to the Memphis Food Bank, which represents 32,370 meals.

The U of M’s “Canstruction” event is organized by the American Society of Civil Engineers West Tennessee Branch Younger Members Group.

Details are available from Dr. Stephanie Ivey at 901-678-3286 or ssalyers@memphis.edu