Dam Model Competition
The Dam Model competition calls for university student groups, student branches of professional organizations, K-12 classes, or other students interested in dam safety to construct a dam model (tabletop size) based on the criteria discussed below and come up with a plan on how to best use the model to educate the public on dam safety. The Dam Model Competition is organized by the Committee on Career Development and Student Outreach. It is funded by the Bruce Tschantz Memorial Fund.
The 2026 Dam Model Competition submission window will open in August 2025.
Application Requirements
- Team Member Names and Affiliations
- Team Leader and Co-Leader (if used)
- Technical Advisor to Team (if used) *If you are in need of a Technical Advisor, ASDSO can assist in connecting you with members who are interested in assisting. Contact ASDSO to learn more.
- Sketch(es) of the proposed dam model and description of major components
- Proposed budget to build the dam (not to exceed $500)
- Schedule for model development
- Plans for use of the model after it is built. Special consideration is given to unique uses (e.g., children’s museums, schools, etc.)
Selection Criteria
- Completeness of application (based on requirements above)
- Unique aspects of the proposed model (e.g., dambreak, hydropower, gated spillways, rainfall-runoff, etc.)
- Technical merit
- Budget and schedule
- Plans for the model to promote dam safety in the community
Winning Prize
Based on the selection criteria above, each winning team will receive the following:
- Funding to build the model (up to $500)
- $1,000 honorarium to team
- Invitation to present model at an upcoming ASDSO Conference
- Complimentary full conference registration for team members at an upcoming ASDSO Conference
- Travel and stipend for up to $1,500 for team members to an upcoming ASDSO Conference
If you have questions regarding the dam model competition please contact Ross Brown via email or by calling (859) 550-2788.
Are you not ready to submit your paper this year or want to learn more about student opportunities with ASDSO? Complete our student opportunities interest form to learn more.
Help us promote the competition within your school or organization by downloading the Dam Model Competition flyer!
2025 Winner
MOT Charter School (Middletown, Delaware)
- Students: Maya Lalani, Rawda Ahmed, and Natalia Guevara
- Teacher: Brian Hurd
- Technical Advisor: John Moyle
Past Winners:
- 2024 - Jennie D. Blake Elementary School (Hill, New Hampshire) - Caleb White, Madison Lloyd, Riley Dill, Isabella Mills, Hannah Gray, Teacher Brian Connelly, and Technical Advisors Josh Gilman and Briana Edwards
- 2024 - MOT Charter School (Middletown, Delaware) - Sharna Ngure, Justin Omwega, Javon Gibbs, Teacher Brian Hurd, and Technical Advisor John Moyle
- 2023 - University of Wisconsin-Platteville - Monte Glodowski, Matthew Franklin, and Justin Mitchell and Technical Advisor Janelle Skoyen Hestekin, P.E.
- 2023 - Franklin Regional Middle School - Milana Andreyko and Alyse Mooney and Technical Advisor A.J. Danny
- 2023 - Wyoming Indian Elementary School - Anpo Amos, Chason Whiteplume, Dax Antelope, Hunter Soundingsides, Levi Redman, and Wylee Enos, Technical Advisor Devon McLay, P.E. and Team Leader Anthony Farley
- 2022 - Colorado State University - Joe Bindner, Esther Clement, Charles VanTilburg, Sam Jacob, Garrett Martin, Matthew Bullock, and Technical Advisor Dr. Christopher Bareither
- 2022 - Fort Mill High School - Yoshiharu Ono and Technical Advisor Erwin Supranata. View Yoshiharu's presentation.
- 2022 - British Columbia - Sohan Sadeque (New Westminster Secondary School), Sarah Firoz (Burnaby Mountain Secondary School), Alina Sadeque (Skwo:wech Elementary School), Sally Firoz (Burnaby Mountain Secondary School), and Technical Advisor Dr. Faheem Sadeque, Ph.D., P.Eng. View their presentation.
- 2021 – Franklin Regional Middle School - Grace Copeland, Ella Haritan, Jason Fleming, Vedanth Reddyvari, Zach Sudol, and Teacher Arthur J. Danny.
- 2020 – Utah State University - Kyler Olsen, Braiden Amata, Jack Tousley, Kathryn Margetts, and Professor Brian Crookston, PhD., P.E.
