4th Annual Construction Olympics connects high school and college students through engineering challenges

The University of Akron’s (UA) College of Engineering and Polymer Science recently hosted its 4th Annual Construction Olympics, held on Sept. 19, 2025, on the UA campus. The event brought together high school and college students for a day filled with hands-on engineering challenges, showcasing UA’s commitment to preparing the next generation of construction and civil engineers through experiential learning.

A day of hands-on challenges

Organized by UA’s Department of Civil Engineering, the Construction Olympics featured 10 events that tested participants’ creativity, problem-solving skills and technical knowledge. This year’s lineup included Leave it to Lever, Drilling for Dollars, The Amazing Pace, Cylinder Toss, Steeple Chase, Hammer Time, Tinkertoy Tower, Sawz-All Challenge, Paint the Town and What’s Your Angle. Each event gave students the chance to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios while emphasizing practical engineering skills.

Voices from the day

“My high school engineering students left the Construction Olympics energized and proud of what they accomplished throughout the day,” said Lorah Meech, instructor at Medina County Career Center. “It’s a one-of-a-kind event that makes engineering and construction come alive! We look forward to it every year.”

Summit Construction, this year’s lead sponsor, praised the impact of the event. “Summit Construction could not have been happier to be the sponsor leading the Construction Olympics Grand Event,” said Dylan Philips of Summit Construction. “I think this is a great way to give back to the community and get students interested in the construction industry. With every year the Construction Olympics becomes better than the last and we cannot wait to see where the future continues to progress with this!”

Brian Ballou, professor of construction engineering technology and the founder and manager of the event, added, “To the best of my knowledge, UA is one of the few universities in the nation to host an event like this, so the students who earn top honors can take pride in achieving recognition that stands out on a national level.”

Looking ahead

The success of the 2025 Construction Olympics underscores the value of practical, experiential learning in shaping the future of engineering. UA’s commitment to programs like this continues to inspire students to develop technical skills, leadership and confidence, preparing them for successful careers in construction engineering technology, civil engineering and surveying & mapping.

Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476 or media@uakron.edu.