Project Precast Regional Challenge
A real-world student design competition bringing together the next generation of architects, engineers, construction professionals, and concrete industry leaders.
The PCMA Project Precast Regional Challenge gives selected students from Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico the opportunity to work in interdisciplinary teams on a real-world precast concrete design challenge.
Students will collaborate with peers from other disciplines, receive guidance from industry mentors, develop a conceptual precast solution, and present their final design to judges and a live audience of PCMA members and industry professionals.
Key Details
- February 24–27, 2027
- College Station, Texas
- Applications key dates
Opening date: September 1, 2026
Closing date: November 30, 2026
Time To Closing Date
what you need to know
Event Snapshot
Who:
Students in architecture, engineering, construction, CIM, and related programs
Where:
The George Hotel, College Station, Texas
When:
February 24–27, 2027
Application:
Opening Date: September 1, 2026 Closing Date: November 30, 2026
Support:
Travel, accommodations, and meals covered
Awards:
Presented during the Best in Precast Concrete Awards Ceremony
What Is the Project Precast Regional Challenge?
The PCMA Project Precast Regional Challenge is an interdisciplinary student design competition inspired by the PCI Foundation’s national Project Precast program.
Selected students will be placed on teams and challenged to respond to the same hypothetical project. Each team will explore how precast concrete can be used to address design, structural, construction, schedule, sustainability, and owner-value goals.
Industry mentors will support the teams throughout the process, but the students will be responsible for developing and presenting their own solution.
At the conclusion of the challenge, teams will present their work to a panel of judges and a PCMA industry audience. Awards will be presented during the Best in Precast Concrete Awards Ceremony.
Information for Students and Professors
PCMA Project Precast Regional Challenge is designed to connect students, faculty, and the precast concrete industry through a real-world, team-based design experience. Whether you are a student ready to build your résumé or a professor looking for meaningful applied learning opportunities, this initiative offers a direct connection between classroom learning and industry practice.
STUDENTS
Design It. Present It. Prove It.
This is not a classroom exercise dressed up as an event. Student teams will work with industry mentors, tackle a real-world precast design challenge, and present their ideas to professionals who design, manufacture, build, and specify precast concrete every day.
Along the way, selected students will compete for cash awards, gain industry recognition, and build experience they can actually put on a résumé.
Quick Details
- Event Dates: February 24–27, 2027
- Location: College Station, Texas
- Deadline Nov. 30
- Student Support: PCMA will cover travel to and from the event, accommodations, and meals for selected students
- Recommendation Required: Yes, a letter of recommendation is required
Who Should Apply?
Students from the following disciplines are encouraged to apply:
- Architecture
- Architectural Engineering
- Civil / Structural Engineering
- Construction Management
- Construction Science
- Concrete Industry Management
- Engineering Technology
- Related design and construction programs
No previous precast concrete experience is required. Students should be motivated, collaborative, and ready to contribute to a team.
The Student Experience
Students will participate in a multi-day design challenge during the PCMA Winter Meeting.
Students will:
- Attend orientation and receive the project brief
- Meet their teammates and industry mentors
- Participate in project work sessions
- Develop a conceptual precast design solution
- Prepare a final presentation
- Present to judges and a live industry audience
- Attend selected PCMA Winter Meeting activities
- Participate in the Best in Precast Concrete Awards Ceremony
PROFESSORS
Where Classroom Learning Meets Industry Practice
The PCMA Project Precast Regional Challenge gives students the opportunity to apply their skills in a real-world, team-based design competition. Working with industry mentors, students will create and present precast concrete solutions while gaining practical insight into architecture, engineering, construction, and the broader precast industry.
PCMA invites professors, department chairs, and academic leaders to share this opportunity with qualified students and actively encourage strong applicants to apply.
Quick Details
- Event Dates: February 24–27, 2027
- Location: College Station, Texas
- Eligible Students: Architecture, engineering, construction, CIM, and related programs
- Deadline Nov. 30
- Recommendation Required: Yes.
- Student Support: PCMA will cover travel to and from the event, accommodations, and meals.
Why Share This with Students?
This challenge supports:
- Applied learning
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Career exploration
- Industry engagement
- Student résumé and portfolio development
- Connections between academic programs and regional employers
- Greater awareness of precast concrete as a design and construction solution
Faculty Responsibilities
Faculty can help by:
- Sharing the opportunity with eligible students
- Encouraging strong candidates to apply
- Providing letters of recommendation
- Promoting the challenge through classes, departments, and student organizations
- Helping students understand the value of precast concrete in design and construction
- Identifying students who are collaborative, curious, dependable, and ready for a team-based challenge
Faculty encouragement will be important in helping students recognize the value of applying.
Eligibility
Students from the following disciplines are encouraged to apply:
- Architecture
- Architectural Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Construction Management
- Construction Science
- Concrete Industry Management
- Engineering Technology
- Related design and construction programs
Applicants should be interested in teamwork, design, construction, problem-solving, and learning how precast concrete is used in real projects.
A letter of recommendation is required as part of the online application.
Application and Travel
Application Timeline
Applications Open: Sep 1, 2026
Application Closes: Nov 30, 2026
Event Dates: February 24–27, 2027
Location: College Station, TX
Application Requirements
Students will be asked to complete an online application and submit a letter of recommendation.
Application materials may include:
- Contact information
- College or university
- Degree program
- Expected graduation date
- Statement of interest
- Relevant coursework or experience
- Letter of recommendation
- Travel information
- Agreement to participate in the full event if selected
Travel, Accommodations, and Meals
PCMA will cover travel to and from the event, accommodations, and meals for selected student participants from February 24–27, 2027.
Travel support will be provided according to PCMA’s student travel policy. Selected students will receive additional details after acceptance, including hotel information, arrival and departure expectations, and travel guidance.
Students are responsible for personal expenses and hotel incidentals.
Awards
Student teams will compete for awards recognizing strong design, teamwork, creativity, structural thinking, and presentation quality.
Awards will be presented during the Best in Precast Concrete Awards Ceremony in front of PCMA members and industry professionals.
Award categories may include:
- Overall Project Precast Winner
- People’s Choice Award
- Outstanding Structural Design Award
- WOW Factor Award
Final award categories and prize details will be confirmed before the event.
Why Precast Concrete?
Precast concrete plays a major role in modern building and infrastructure projects. It offers opportunities for speed, quality, durability, resilience, design flexibility, efficiency, and long-term value.
Through this challenge, students will gain a better understanding of how precast concrete is designed, manufactured, transported, erected, and integrated into successful projects.
Participants will also see how architects, engineers, contractors, producers, suppliers, and owners work together to solve real-world challenges.
Ready to Take Part?
Applications for the PCMA Project Precast Regional Challenge open September 1, 2026 and close November 30, 2026.
Selected students will travel to College Station, Texas, February 24–27, 2027, to participate in this hands-on design challenge during the PCMA Winter Meeting.
Questions?
For more information about PCMA Project Precast Regional Challenge, please contact:
[Insert PCMA Contact Name]
[Insert Title]
Precast Concrete Manufacturers Association
projectprecast@precastcma.org
[Insert Phone]
Frequently Asked Questions
Do students need previous precast concrete experience?
No. Previous precast experience is not required. Students should be interested in learning, collaborating, and applying their skills to a real-world design challenge.
Who is eligible to apply?
Students in architecture, architectural engineering, civil or structural engineering, construction management, construction science, Concrete Industry Management, engineering technology, and related programs are encouraged to apply.
Is travel covered?
Yes. PCMA will cover travel to and from the event, accommodations, and meals for selected students from February 24–27, 2027, according to the event travel policy.
When do applications open?
Applications open September 1, 2026.
When is the application deadline?
Applications close November 30, 2026.
Is a recommendation required?
Yes. A letter of recommendation is required as part of the application.
When and where is the event?
The event will take place February 24–27, 2027, in College Station, Texas, in conjunction with the PCMA Winter Meeting.
When are awards presented?
Awards will be presented during the Best in Precast Concrete Awards Ceremony.