Solid Edge Academic Program - Projects, Competitions and Challenges
Project-based learning is a widely recognized and effective teaching approach for students of all abilities. Project-based learning also develops higher-order inquiry and problem-solving skills, and helps students gain a greater and deeper understanding of scientific and mathematical principles in an applied manner. The competitive elements of some project-based learning activities also provides an important additional dimension to teaching and learning. Within the correct context, competition engages and motivates students and drives innovation, a vital requirement for any engineer or product designer.
Siemens PLM Software and the Solid Edge Academic Program are engaged with, and support, a number of recognized engineering and design academic projects, competitions and challenges.
Greenpower
Greenpower is dedicated to promoting engineering and technology as careers to students, ages 9 to 25, in any form of full- or part-time education. This is achieved through unique hands-on projects to design, build and race an electric car. This engineering challenge is currently a UK-only engagement, but both Siemens PLM Software and Greenpower are actively looking to expand this excellent project on a global basis.
F1 in Schools
F1 in Schools (Formel 1 in der Schule) is a multi-disciplinary challenge in which teams of students, ages 9 to 19, use CAD/CAM software to design, analyze, manufacture, test and then race miniature gas-powered balsawood cars. Siemens directly supports F1 in Schools in Germany.
Learn more about F1 in Schools.
FIRST Robotics
FIRST Robotics is an international high school robotics competition, founded in 1989 to develop ways to inspire students in engineering and technology fields. Each year, teams of students use tools like Solid Edge to build robots weighing up to 120 pounds that can complete a task, which changes every year. In 2011, an estimated 2,080 teams will participate in competitions in the United States, Canada, and Israel.
Learn more about FIRST Robotics in:
HUNCH
The High Schools United with NASA to Create Hardware (HUNCH) project provides work experiences to inspire high school students to pursue careers in science and engineering fields. HUNCH is a collaborative effort among NASA Space Operations and Exploration Systems mission directorates and Marshall Space Flight Center's Academic Affairs, Training and Crew Operations, and Ares Project offices. They provide "work-world" experiences for students by engaging them in the design, fabrication and rapid prototyping of multiple products for use in the ARES I mock-up. Students at the Huntsville Center for Technology prefer using Solid Edge CAD software, due to its user friendliness. “They think it’s fun and get excited when I introduce modeling into the curriculum,” said Mike Evans, Drafting Design Instructor.
Google Lunar X-Prize
Google Lunar X-Prize is a space competition organized by the X Prize Foundation, and sponsored by Google. The challenge calls for privately-funded spaceflight teams to compete in successfully launching, landing and traveling across the surface of the Moon with a robot, while also sending specified images and other data back to Earth. Students create everything for their mission using CAD programs capable of handling large assemblies, such as Solid Edge, do their own programming, and then demonstrate their designs to be judged.
Learn more about Google Lunar X-Prize:
Press Release - Siemens PLM Software Partners with World-Class Team Competing for $30 Million Google Lunar X PRIZE
Google Lunar X-Prize web site
Rocket City Space Pioneers Team
SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA offers competitive activities for students in a variety of occupational skill and leadership areas. Competition in skill and personal achievement is encouraged at all levels. Leadership contests include public speaking, parliamentary procedure, safety, opening and closing ceremonies, and job interviewing. Occupational skill contests include the building trades, health occupations, automotive technology, the electrical/electronics industry and personal services. Solid Edge plays an integral role in the skilled and technical sciences portion of the competition, which includes technical drafting, robotics and automation technology, and sheet metal and welding fabrication.
