Innovation doesn’t take a break. Missouri S&T student design teams are working on everything from rockets to underwater robotics, and are taking their projects to regional, national and international competitions in the coming months.

Design teams are registered student organizations that operate as 501(c) non-profit businesses. The teams work like small start-up companies, bringing together students from different disciplines to work on large-scale projects. In addition to hands-on design and manufacturing experience, students gain experience in project management, fundraising, public relations and more.

Recent Competitions

Combat Robotics

This team designs and builds a combat-style robot for competitions. The team competed at an event in Kansas City, Missouri, April 22-24.

Concrete Canoe

This team designs and builds a functional canoe out of concrete, which they take to competitions to race on open water. The team competed at the American Society of Civil Engineers Student Symposium April 20-25 in Ames, Iowa. 

Miner Aviation Design Team

This team designs and builds a radio-controlled aircraft that can deliver a weighted payload to a designated target. The team competed in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Design/Build/Fly Competition April 21-24 in Wichita, Kansas.

Solar House Design Team

This team designs and builds a solar-powered house that is judged on 10 categories, ranging from architecture and marketability to the comfort of the house. The team competed in the design challenge of the Solar Decathlon Competition April 21-24 in Golden, Colorado.

Steel Bridge Design Team

This team designs and builds a weight-bearing 1/10th scale model of a steel bridge. The team won first overall in the regional finals of the Student Steel Bridge Competition April 20-25 in Ames, Iowa, and will compete in the national finals May 27-28 in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Upcoming Competitions

Baja SAE

This team designs, builds and races a prototype off-road all-terrain vehicle through various difficult environments. The team will travel to compete at Baja SAE Tennessee Tech in Cookeville May 11-15.

Chem E Car

This team designs and builds a shoe box size car powered by onboard chemical reactions. The team will compete in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers annual student conference Nov. 11-14 in Phoenix.

Engineers Without Borders

The goal of Engineers Without Borders is to empower communities to meet basic needs through projects ranging from clean water to elementary education. EWB works with teams in Bolivia, Guatemala and Honduras.

Formula Electric SAE

This team designs, builds and races a fully electric Formula One-style race car. The team will compete June 14-19 at the Formula SAE Electric Competition in Brookline, Michigan.

Formula CAR FSAE

This team designs, builds and races a traditional combustion-powered Formula One-style race car every year. The team will compete May 18-21 at the Formula SAE Competition in Brookline, Michigan.

Human Powered Vehicle

This team designs and builds a recumbent bicycle-style vehicle that is powered by its driver. 

iGem

Short for International Genetically Engineered Machines, this team designs synthetic biology projects by altering bacterial DNA. The team will present its findings at the international iGem Grand Jamboree this fall.

Mars Rover Design Team

This team designs and builds a prototype Mars rover that can traverse difficult terrain and complete a variety of tasks. The team will travel to the University Rover Challenge World Competition May 28-June 6 in Hanksville, Utah.

Miner Motorcycle

This team designs, builds and manufactures a fully working superbike prototype, starting from a competition-specified 250-cubic-centimeter petroleum four-stroke engine.

Multirotor Robot Design Team

This team designs and builds autonomous flying drones that can perform various tasks. The team will compete June 15-18 in Pax River, Maryland.

Nuclear Science Design Team

This team designs and builds nuclear-based systems with the goal of competing in the American Nuclear Society student design competition. The team’s current project is a machine that will detect radiation in urban environments.

Rocket Design Team

This team builds a rocket capable of launching tens of thousands of feet into the air while carrying instruments to conduct in-flight experiments. The team will compete at the Spaceport America Cup June 21-28 at Spaceport America in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Solar Car Design Team

This team designs, builds and races an electric vehicle that runs entirely on solar power. This July the team will compete in the American Solar Challenge, which this year follows the Oregon National Historic Trail from Independence, Missouri, to Twin Falls, Idaho.

Underwater Robotics Design Team

This team designs and builds remotely operated underwater vehicles to complete various tasks. They will compete June 21-29 at the Marine Advanced Technology Education ROV competition in Long Beach, California.

Missouri S&T’s Kummer Student Design Center provides hundreds of Missouri S&T students with leadership, networking and technical learning opportunities through industry-sponsored design competitions. The center provides real-world team-based operations, including computer design laboratories, a manufacturing shop, office space and logistical support.

For more information about the teams, visit design.mst.edu.

About Missouri University of Science and Technology

Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a STEM-focused research university of over 7,200 students. Part of the four-campus University of Missouri System and located in Rolla, Missouri, Missouri S&T offers 101 degrees in 40 areas of study and is among the nation’s top 10 universities for return on investment, according to Business Insider. S&T also is home to the Kummer Institute, made possible by a $300 million gift from Fred and June Kummer. For more information about Missouri S&T, visit www.mst.edu.