SENECA, S.C. — The University of Delaware Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is the grand prize winner of the 2010 NCEES Engineering Award for Connecting Professional Practice and Education. The award jury met March 25, 2010, in Clemson, S.C., to select the $25,000 grand prize winner.

The department received the prize for its submission, Pomeroy Trail East Annex. For the project, student teams competed to win a commission and perform the preliminary engineering for an expansion of a multi-user trail system in their city. The teams worked with engineering mentors from professional practice to consider drainage and environmental upgrades, wastewater system improvements, reevaluation of a proposed groundwater remediation program, and associated infrastructure improvements.

The jury praised the project for its "excellent integration of real-world experience in an educational setting."

Additional winners
The jury selected five additional winners to receive awards of $7,500.

• California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Civil and Environmental Engineering Department
Bridging the Gap between Theory and Practice through Capstone Design

• California State University, Los Angeles
Department of Civil Engineering
Connecting Practice with Education through Civil Engineering Capstone Experience: Puddingstone Reservoir Operations Level Study

• Clemson University
Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Engineering Haptic Virtual Manipulatives to Enhance K-12 Math and Science Education

• University of Maryland
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Engineers Without Borders: Solar Recharge Project in Burkina Faso, Africa• University of New Mexico
Department of Civil Engineering
Integration of Civil Engineering and Construction Management Education: A Multi-disciplinary, Mentor-led Capstone Experience