Government and software industry leaders are hoping to recruit more students into engineering and mathemaics through a national design competition. Vermont is the first state to participate in the Real World Design Challenge, according to the Rutland Herald. The program provides engineering software to schools where students then use that software to create a more fuel-efficient airplane and compete against other groups. It is believed these designs will result in patents or other applications. The program was coordinated by the Federal Aviation Administration, software giant Parametric Technology Corp., and others like the U.S. Department of Energy. Andrew Giroux, a student at Champlain Valley Union High School in HInesburg, was glad to see these kinds of contests now being offered in Vermont. It appears to be a win-win for teachers, students, and Vermont. Maybe even for airplanes.