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NEWS
| february 12, 2004
To
the Test
Engineering students have 4 days
to complete 13 puzzles
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| The Shorthorn: Brandon Wade |
| Industrial engineering professor Bill
Corley creates a 13-puzzle test that any engineering student
can try to solve. The person who solves the most problems
correctly wins a $1,000 scholarship. |
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By Avinash
J. Rai
Contributor to The Shorthorn
Engineering students can begin brushing up on their analytical,
mathematical and reasoning skills before the Dirty Dozen Puzzle
Contest that begins Feb. 19.
Last year, Praveen Kaushik, an electrical engineering graduate student,
won a few semesters of discounted tuition by solving 11 of the questions.
“I’m definitely going to give it a shot. I’ve
never entered it before, and I’d like to see what it’s
all about,” mechanical engineering freshman Lanie Bredehoeft
said. “The puzzles are probably going to be difficult because
it’s directed for engineering students and therefore assumes
good problem-solving abilities. But money is a factor.”
The winner receives a $1,000 scholarship and in-state tuition rates
for the next year. Among international students particularly, the
prize is sought by many. The winner is recognized at the College
of Engineering’s annual awards banquet set for 7 p.m. Feb.
27. The events coincide with Engineering Week, Feb. 22-29.
The 13 puzzles represent a “baker’s dozen,” and
the title Dirty Dozen implies trick questions.
The student who solves the most puzzles wins. In 2003, Kaushik only
solved 11 of the batch, but it only took him 10 hours to do so.
Contestants have four days to solve them. Only one person has answered
all the puzzles correctly since the contest began in 2000.
In case of a tie, the one returned earliest will be the winner.
The Beck Group, a Dallas-based design, construction and real estate
company and the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems
jointly sponsor the scholarships.
Despite the obvious attraction of money, serious students know the
challenge is worth the effort.
“This contest shows students that learning and solving problems
is fun and profitable at the same time,” said Industrial engineering
professor Bill Corley, who creates the puzzles and coordinates the
event.
“The challenge is enough reason for me to enter the contest,”
said Tony Poppelneiter, a computer science engineering junior. “I’ve
entered the past few contests and solving even a few of them is
an accomplishment in itself.”
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