Competition Overview

You are invited to put your knowledge and design talents to the test! Interzinc offers an exciting competition - created only for engineering and design students. If you will be enrolled at a college or university in the 2011-2012 academic year - you can take part in this exciting competition.

After registering on this website, you will receive a disc "Zinc: the designers choice" along with a questionnaire. You will be asked 50 questions about zinc; all the answers are on the Interzinc website literature. When completed, send to Interzinc before the March 1st deadline. Those that score 70% or better will continue on to the design portion of the competition.


In the design portion, students will be challenged to design and develop any type of marine lighting suitable for indoor and / or outdoor use in wet locations. This includes boat running lights, reading, chart, deck, courtesy ceiling and wall mounted fixtures for above & below ship decks. External floodlights, searchlights, spotlights, safety beacons, navigation lights, channel markers, dock lighting, mooring lights, buoy lighting or any type of lighting that can be used in a marine environment. The application must be for use over water (no shore lighting), and the waterproof design must be able to withstand shock, vibration, extreme temperatures & corrosive saltwater environments.


Using the latest in die casting technology, thin walls can be cast keeping weight at a minimum without sacrificing strength. The correct use of various materials can result in a superior design/product. The design must use the attributes of Zinc for the main component. Other materials can be used to further enhance the design/product.


The criteria for selecting the winning entries will be based on the requirements in the How to Enter section, design excellence and creative problem solving, as determined by the competition's jurors, comprised of members of Interzinc and outside experts. The judging will take place in July 2012

Three winners will be selected, and each participant or group will receive a grant for use at the college or university at which they are currently enrolled. A $2,000 prize will go to each of the top three winners and $1,000 will be donated to their faculty advisor for use at his or her discretion within the department.