National automation contest expands with help from 2 professors

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Two Purdue University College of Technology professors have been instrumental in expanding the Phoenix Contact Nanoline Contest for middle and high school students to new regions of the country. The contest gives teams a chance to learn about the STEM field, acquire technology at no cost, and create a product by using the technology to build a functional, automated system.

In 2015 Brad Harriger and Alka Harriger will host the third annual Midwest regional competition at Purdue, and they will launch the inaugural Southeast regional competition at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. A third regional competition is held at Elizabethtown College in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania.

Brad Harriger is professor of mechanical engineering technology, and Alka Harriger is professor of computer and information technology.

Online registration for the 2015 competition is available through Nov. 14.

"The neat thing about this contest is Phoenix Contact's approach to sponsorship," Alka Harriger said. "Most of the supplies are provided by the sponsor, or they can be purchased with a supplied gift card. The only cost to the teams is transportation costs to the host regional site and other incidentals."

"Success in the Phoenix Contact Nanoline Competition relies heavily on problem-solving skills," said Brad Harriger. "It gives participating students a hands-on introduction to controls, and we hope it gets them excited about using technology to solve real problems."

Up to three teams from each regional contest will move on to the national competition in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in February.

Sources:  Brad Harriger, bcharrig@purdue.edu

Alka Harriger, harrigea@purdue.edu