Skate4Concrete Competition

Skate4Concrete Competition: Engaging Students and Inspiring Careers in Concrete

The Tennessee Concrete Association (TCA) continued its commitment to workforce development and early career exposure in 2025 through the Skate4Concrete Mini Concrete Skatepark Competition, an experiential learning initiative designed to introduce students to concrete fundamentals and career pathways in the industry.

Skate4Concrete is a free Concrete 101 curriculum developed by the Concrete Advancement Foundation in partnership with Skate 4 Concrete. The curriculum culminates in a hands-on project where student teams design and construct miniature concrete skateparks, connecting engineering concepts, durability, design thinking, and teamwork to real-world concrete applications.

TCA’s Role in Driving S4C’s Success

TCA has taken a proactive role in promoting and expanding the Skate4Concrete program and curriculum across Tennessee. Recognizing the importance of bridging the gap between industry professionals and future concrete leaders, TCA engaged its members and board to champion the program in their local communities.

Our outreach efforts included targeted email campaigns, social media promotion and website updates to highlight the availability of the S4C curriculum. We actively engaged with Career & Technical Education teachers and students, encouraging them to sign up for the free S4C curriculum. Now, over 15 schools in Tennessee are actively implementing and teaching the curriculum to their students, and a total of 25+ schools has expressed interest in offering the program.

Additionally, Tennessee has more employer links on the S4C website than any other state, making it the leading resource for connecting students with concrete industry employers. This achievement reflects TCA’s commitment to ensuring students can seamlessly explore career opportunities and connect with local industry leaders through the S4C program.

What Was New in 2025

Building on the momentum of its inaugural competition, TCA significantly expanded the program in 2025 by relocating the statewide competition to Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and integrating the event directly with the university’s Concrete Industry Management (CIM) Program.

This move transformed the competition from a standalone showcase into a full-day educational experience, allowing students to:

Present their skatepark builds to industry judges
Participate in a Concrete Quiz Bowl
Tour MTSU’s CIM facilities and engage with faculty and staff
Interact directly with concrete professionals and association members

Hosting the event at MTSU strengthened the connection between K–12 education, postsecondary programs, and industry careers—giving students tangible exposure to concrete as a viable and rewarding profession.

2025 Competition Details

The 2025 Skate4Concrete Mini Concrete Skatepark Competition was held on April 11, 2025, at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Student teams from across the state presented their miniature concrete skateparks, delivering short presentations outlining their design choices, construction process, and lessons learned. A panel of industry judges evaluated projects based on established criteria, while students also competed in a Concrete Quiz Bowl to reinforce technical knowledge gained through the curriculum.

The event concluded with an awards ceremony and networking session, allowing students to engage with concrete professionals and learn more about education and career pathways in the industry.

Student Participation & Outcomes

Four student teams competed in the 2025 event, representing a range of grade levels and geographic regions across Tennessee. Teams demonstrated creativity, technical understanding, and strong communication skills throughout the competition.

Award recipients included:

First Place: Treadwell Middle School
Second Place & Concrete Quiz Bowl Champions: Culleoka Unit School
Third Place & Best Skatepark: Campbell County High School
Special Recognition: Allardt Middle School (youngest team and best presentation)

Student prizes included cash awards, industry recognition, and unique incentives designed to reinforce positive engagement with the concrete industry.

Long-Term Impact on Tennessee’s Concrete Workforce

As Skate4Concrete continues to expand across Tennessee, the program underscores TCA’s commitment to building a strong, sustainable workforce for the concrete industry. Through hands-on learning and real-world applications, students gain early exposure to concrete’s role in infrastructure and the wide range of career opportunities it offers.

This effort is reinforced by TCA’s Work in Concrete page, which directly connects students and job seekers with TCA member companies. By highlighting career pathways, job opportunities, and practical industry examples, TCA strengthens the link between education and employment—supporting members with a more informed and motivated talent pipeline statewide.