The Center for Inspiring Engineering Excellence hosts its 6th annual Industry Super Bowl

For many, the big game isn’t until Feb. 9, but for more than 50 engineering students, their Super Bowl took place on Sunday, Feb. 2.

Auburn University’s Center for Inspiring Engineering Excellence (CI2E) hosted its 6^th annual Industry Super Bowl, allowing students to work with seven corporate sponsors in real-world workplace scenarios and compete for prizes based on their presentations.

“The Industry Super Bowl is an event designed to give students experience with challenges they may encounter after graduation,” said Tamara McClain, director of CI2E. “We allow our corporate sponsors to partner up with the students, and they are tasked with facing workplace issues.”

Upon arriving at the event, students are unaware of their team placements and collaborators. This element of surprise encourages them to assess complex scenarios in a dynamic environment, sharpening their teamwork skills while networking with potential employers.

“It’s important for students to realize that different challenges may arise when they enter the workforce,” McClain said. “The Industry Super Bowl allows students to learn how to collaborate with one another and come up with unique solutions.”

The 2025 corporate sponsors included Alabama Power and Southern Company, American Cast Iron Pipe Company, Brasfield & Gorrie, International Paper, Lockheed Martin, Robins & Morton and Volkert.

Auburn faculty serve as referees for the competition and judge the solutions the teams provide from the case studies they receive. This year, Volkert earned first place, Brasfield & Gorrie took second and Robins & Morton placed third.

McClain said the event not only provides students with the opportunity to experience real-life situations but also to connect and network with industry leaders.

“The collaboration between companies and students benefits everyone,” McClain said. “When you have the opportunity to work with the best and brightest, you can become the best and brightest.”