Students studying electrical engineering can acquire a competitive advantage in their professions, expand their skill set, and close the knowledge gap between theory and practice by participating in contests. In order to succeed and differentiate themselves in this cutthroat industry, students need to go beyond textbooks and lectures. Taking part in engineering competitions is one of the best methods to accomplish this. In this article, we will explore the five best competitions for electrical engineering students.
Why is participating in competitions important for electrical engineering students?
Joining engineering competition teams is a powerful way to discover your interests within the field and confirm if engineering is the right career path for you. For many freshmen, the first two years are spent on general courses, with little exposure to the practical aspects of their major. This means students might not encounter coursework directly related to their chosen discipline until later on, which can be a risky situation.
The competition offers a unique opportunity for students to gain practical experience early in their academic journey. Spending just a couple of hours a week working on design projects under the guidance of your senior team member can provide more insight into their major in one semester than several semesters of traditional coursework. The hands-on experience and mentorship received can help students understand how theoretical concepts apply in real-world scenarios. For some, this experience has been eye-opening, leading them to change their major before committing to classes they might not have enjoyed. Engaging in competitions for electrical engineering students can save time and money while helping them make informed decisions about their engineering careers.
Competition teams offer unparalleled networking opportunities for engineering students, particularly those aspiring to work for top-tier companies. Freshman engineering students often dream of joining major industry players, and participating in competitions for electrical engineering students can significantly enhance their chances. These teams connect students with a wide network of industry professionals, including mentors, sponsors, and alumni who have strong ties to leading engineering firms. Joining an engineering competition creates a network that not only provides insight into the industry but also opens doors to internships, job placements, and professional development opportunities, making it an invaluable asset for students aiming for careers in top engineering companies.
Competitions for Electrical Engineering Students
Here are the prestigious competitions for electrical engineering students:
- Texas Instruments Innovation Challenge (TIIC)
- Solar Decathlon
- Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers)
- MathWorks Minidrone Competition
- Robocon
Texas Instruments Innovation Challenge (TIIC)
https://education.ti.com/en/promotion/codescontest
The Texas Instruments Innovation Challenge (TIIC) is a prestigious design competition aimed at students between 13-19 years old. An adult sponsor, such as a teacher or parent, must be included. The competition encourages the development of innovative electronic solutions utilizing Texas Instruments (TI) components and technology. TI offers a comprehensive suite of resources and tools to facilitate participant project endeavors.
The competition mandates students to develop projects that tackle real-world challenges or enhance existing technologies. Typically, teams must turn in a comprehensive project report that includes schematics, the design process, and the completed products. These projects may encompass a wide range of fields, including healthcare, automotive, robotics, energy, and consumer electronics. The competition offers substantial prizes, including cash awards and recognition from industry professionals. Additionally, winning teams could apply for jobs or internships with Texas Instruments.
Skills Developed: Robotics, circuit design, programming, and problem-solving.
An example included a drone navigation system that allows autonomous flight by utilizing embedded computing units and sensor technology from TI. Real-time environmental sensing, GPS-based route planning, and obstacle identification were all integrated in the system. The initiative focused on uses for autonomous drones in search and rescue missions, where they could help find survivors in places devastated by natural disasters.
Solar Decathlon
https://www.solardecathlon.gov/blog/archives/6412
Organized by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Solar Decathlon is an international competition that challenges students to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses. Students must be pursing a degree, from an educational institution, including universities, colleges, and technical schools. At least one mentor or academic advisor who offers advice and assistance throughout the tournament must be a part of every team.
1 team can consist of students from a range of disciplines, including architecture, engineering, construction management, and environmental science. Electrical engineering students can focus on the energy management systems.
Skills Developed: Renewable energy, power systems, sustainable design, and teamwork.
An example is the Eindhoven University of Technology’s “DREAM House”. The design placed a strong emphasis on the value of developing a cozy living space that could be modified to suit various user requirements and climates. It had a highly insulated structure that reduced heat loss and enhanced energy efficiency. The DREAM House was equipped with an advanced home automation system, sensors, and monitoring devices that gather energy usage data. It received recognition for its contributions to energy-efficient design and sustainable architecture.
Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers)
https://www.sae.org/attend/student-events/formula-sae-knowledge/about
Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) is an international engineering competition which students design, build, and race small formula-style race cars. The Formula SAE gives engineering students the chance to create a high-performance race car.
Teams use a combination of traditional engineering techniques and computer-aided design (CAD) tools to design their automobiles. Aerodynamics, suspension, drivetrain, and vehicle dynamics are a few of the things they have to take into account.
Participants must be enrolled as full-time students at a university or college, and includes an academic advisor or a representative selected by the university. The car must be designed, built, and tested by the student team, and student who will be testing the vehicle must possess a valid driver’s license.
Skills Developed: Circuit design, embedded systems, vehicle dynamics, and collaboration.
An example is an electric hybrid car developed by a team from Asia. The team developed a Formula SAE vehicle that is entirely electric and has regenerative braking and a specially designed battery pack. Their car showed excellent acceleration and energy economy and was built to compete in the competition’s electric vehicle category.
MathWorks Minidrone Competition
https://www.mathworks.com/academia/student-competitions/minidrones.html
The MathWorks Minidrone Competition is an annual event hosted by MathWorks, the company known for its MATLAB and Simulink software. Participants are required to build, construct, and demonstrate miniature drones that are capable of autonomous flight. The team should consist of 2 to 4 members, who are pursing a degree. The team have to use MathWorks tools such as MATLAB and Simulink for simulation, design, and testing of their drones.
The team is required to develop algorithms and control systems to facilitate the autonomous operation of their drones. This task encompasses the programming and integration of various sensors and technologies.
Skills Developed: Robotics and control systems, system integration, data analysis
An example of a past successful project entails drones capable of detecting and tracking specific objects, such as colored balls or targets, within a designated area. This involves the use of advanced image processing and machine learning techniques, implemented through MATLAB and Simulink, to accurately identify and follow the objects.
Robocon
https://aburobocon2024.vtv.gov.vn/
The Robocon competition, is an annual robotics competition organized by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU). Students are required to design and build robots that can perform specific tasks, involving mechanical design, electronics, software development, and system integration. These tasks are typically related to real-world scenarios and technological advancements and there is a different theme each year.
The competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students, and each participating team must be from the same institution.
Skills Developed: Mechanical, wiring circuits, algorithms, adaptability
An example of a successful past project comes from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. The team created a robot designed to navigate through debris and conduct rescue missions. This robot was outfitted with cameras, sensors, and a strong mobility system to tackle the difficulties of a disaster setting. The project received acclaim for its innovative disaster relief approach and the seamless integration of diverse technological solutions.
Engaging in competitions for electrical engineering students offers a wealth of benefits that extend far beyond the classroom. These competitions provide invaluable hands-on experience, foster practical skills, and enhance understanding of theoretical concepts in real-world applications.
