Competition Aims To Motivate Students

Mastercam CAM system developer CNC Software (Tolland, Connecticut) says its 2009-2010 Mastercam Innovator of the Future (IOF) competition will entice students with a real-world manufacturing challenge, celebrity judges and a chance to win a scholarship and a trip to a NASCAR team headquarters. The national competition is intended to provide instructors with a motivational tool to get students excited to learn about CAD/CAM and the manufacturing process.

The challenge for this year’s entries is to design and machine a NASCAR-style gear shift lever and knob. Entries will be judged by three members of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team Stewart-Haas Racing: CNC shop manager Brad Harris and drivers Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman. Criteria to be considered in selecting a winner includes innovation and creativity, accuracy, part finish quality and aesthetics. In addition to a $1,000 scholarship to the school of his or her choice, the winner will receive an expense-paid trip to the Stewart-Haas Racing headquarters and machine shop in Kannapolis, North Carolina. All entries and completed entry forms must be received by March 31.