CONCORD - Governor John Lynch announced today that New Hampshire will join the Real World Design Challenge, an aerospace engineering competition that will give New Hampshire students the opportunity to solve a “real world” aviation design challenge.

Students and teachers will be given a real world challenge to solve through design. Teachers, partnering with student teams, will be given the opportunity to be trained in and gain use of $1 million in engineering software to support their efforts to design a solution to the challenge. The details of the design challenge will be announced on September 14th.

“Education is vital to the future of our state and our economy,” Governor Lynch said, “and programs like the Real World Design Challenge help get students excited about learning and give them a deeper understanding of how the concepts they learn in the classroom apply in the real world. Competitions like this help provide students with the skills they need to compete in this global economy.”

New Hampshire’s participation in the Real World Design Challenge gives students another opportunity to put the science and math skills they learn in the classroom to work solving real problems. Gov. Lynch has also joined with FIRST, the robotics competition founded by New Hampshire inventor Dean Kamen, to encourage New Hampshire schools to participate in the FIRST competition.

The Real World Design Challenge provides the opportunity to increase student achievement and interest in the critical areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to highlight the economic importance of having a skilled workforce. “We must continue to provide 21st century opportunities to prepare our young people for 21st century jobs,” Governor Lynch said.

The Federal Aviation Administration, along with other federal agencies, industry and higher education will provide mentors to students competing in the program.

The U.S. aerospace industry is facing a serious workforce shortage. By 2010, with modest growth, there will be a shortage of 40,000 to 85,000 engineers and technicians. “The FAA understands the importance of programs such as the Real World Design Challenge and is glad to support it. This program will provide opportunities for students across New Hampshire and the nation to learn about aerospace and develop skills necessary to be competitive in the 21st century,” said Fran Favara, manager of the FAA’s Engine and Propeller Directorate.

Participation is open to any school. Teachers supporting the teams will have access to technical training and $1 million worth of engineering software. Additional information about the Real World Design Challenge can be found at www.scied.science.doe.gov/RWDC/index.html.