Registration is now open for the 2024 NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge final competitions. Thanks to the generosity of NFPA Pascal Society donors, this year’s NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge program features two separate competitions, four races, 22 universities, and exclusive networking opportunities. Registration closes on March 1, 2024. For more information or to register for the event, contact Mary Pluta at mpluta@nfpa.com.
The Vehicle Challenge is an undergraduate program that requires engineering students to redesign a traditional bicycle using hydraulics as power transmission as a senior capstone design project or as an extracurricular activity. Students experience real-world engineering under strict deadlines for designing, building, testing, and demonstrating their designs. NFPA members serve as mentors and judges to guide the students in their learning. Through the program, students learn about fluid power, build a network of peers and industry professionals from all over the country and compete for cash prizes in four separate races – sprint, efficiency, regen, and endurance.
Norgren will host the first event on April 10-12 in Littleton, Colorado, and Danfoss Power Solutions will host the second competition on April 24-26 in Ames, Iowa.
Industry members who attend will have the opportunity to:
- Judge the Final Presentations, Vehicle Design Reviews, and races.
- Participate in networking events designed to connect you with students.
Recruit These Students
Each of our seven Power Partner universities has a team in this year’s Vehicle Challenge. Power Partner Universities are schools with a strong fluid power curriculum, hands-on learning opportunities like the Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge, active Fluid Power Clubs and industry partnerships that bring companies into the classroom. Members who recruit from these universities have found excellent candidates.
NFPA regularly hosts recruitment events at our Power Partner universities. Please join us for a Fluid Power Career Fair on Tuesday, March 5th at Cleveland State University. Space is limited.
NFPA’s current Power Partner Universities include:
- Cleveland State University
- Iowa State University
- Milwaukee School of Engineering
- Murray State University
- North Carolina A&T State University
- Northern Illinois University
- Purdue University
We’d also like to encourage you to check out the career services offices of all the schools participating in the 2024 Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge to learn more about how you can recruit directly on campus.
Participation in the Vehicle Challenge is typically reserved for Pascal Society donors, all NFPA members are invited to participate once. This is a chance for you to explore the program and discover the many advantages of becoming a Pascal Society donor. The list of current Pascal Society Donors is available on our website.
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