Imagine you and your team at a Science Olympiad Invitational. The clock is ticking in the Engineering Design event. Your prototype bridge stands on the testing platform, loaded with weights. At 13 kilograms, it’s still holding. At 15, it suddenly snaps—not because your idea was bad, but because a joint wasn’t reinforced. You realize the difference between a concept and a winning design comes down to skills you didn’t know you were missing.
This guide focuses on those skills. In our series “Getting Started in Engineering,” the first article overviewed competitions. Here, we zoom in on essential skills engineering competitors need and how to develop them step by step. Whether preparing for Science Olympiad, TSA, robotics competitions, or local contests, the same core abilities reappear.
Elite competitors start by understanding. Problem framing turns a vague prompt into a clear engineering target. Many projects fail because teams don’t grasp the assignment’s true nature.
For example, with a prompt like: “Build a device that launches a projectile as far as possible using stored mechanical energy,” a new competitor may jump to building a catapult. A stronger competitor lists constraints, defines performance goals, and explores various mechanical systems before deciding on a direction.
Treat every prompt like a research project. Reword the rules, identify fixed versus flexible elements, and clarify what “success” means. In a hypothetical Science Olympiad tower-building event, one student might read the rules once and start gluing, while another highlights key phrases and notes scoring criteria. When it’s testing day, the second student’s tower may not be the fanciest, but it aligns tightly with the scoring criteria, often leading to victory.
Competitions blend theory and reality. You don’t need a degree, but you must understand enough physics and math to make informed design decisions. Key concepts appear in various events—forces, stability, efficiency—which guide structural decisions.
For instance, in a wind-powered car event, one team might guess blade shapes. Another team reviews torque relationships and blade angles before building, leading to a prototype that outperforms competitors thanks to foundational knowledge.
Connect your school courses to projects. When learning about forces, apply them to your designs. Use platforms like Khan Academy to strengthen weak areas. For every equation learned, consider its application in competitions, and refer to ScholarComp’s guides to map crucial topics relevant to your events.
Many teams stop after creating something that “sort of works.” Successful teams view their first version as a starting point. Design thinking involves ideating, prototyping, testing, analyzing, and improving—where most learning occurs.
For example, Team One builds a robot and hopes it performs on competition day. Team Two builds a rough prototype, tests it, and iterates multiple versions over time. By the final week, Team Two’s robot is battle-tested and reliable, resulting in better scores.
Start by allowing yourself to create “Version 0.1.” Use inexpensive materials early on. After each test, identify what went well and what needs adjustment, focusing on one or two key factors at a time.
In a glider event, test configurations by focusing on wing shape, then weight distribution, optimizing through a structured cycle rather than random changes.
Competitions are judged on the physical devices or models. Practical build skills—cutting, measuring, fastening, wiring—often differentiate teams that “almost” succeed from those that consistently deliver.
In a tower-building competition, two towers using similar designs may have drastically different performance. The one that fails most likely lacked accurate cuts and proper assembly, highlighting the importance of fundamental build skills.
For structural events, focus on accurate measuring and cutting techniques. If you have access to a makerspace, practice foundational skills with small trial projects to enhance your technique. Prioritize safety by learning proper tool use and designating a “safety lead” in team settings.
Engineering competitions often involve teams, and those that function cohesively have an advantage. Strong teams effectively divide tasks, communicate well, and manage their time.
Consider a team facing a multi-part challenge. Team A has strong builders all tackling the same component, neglecting other aspects. Team B designates roles, regularly checks in, and plans systematically. Team B’s overall score typically reflects their thorough coordination.
Practice breaking tasks into manageable deadlines. Use meetings to assign specific roles and maintain a clear agenda. When disagreements arise, focus on data testing designs instead of debating.
Communication includes effectively explaining your design to judges. Practice concise explanations of your design rationale and potential improvements, reviewing mock presentations together to enhance clarity and confidence.
You don’t have to master every skill immediately. Build skills over projects and seasons. In your first season, focus on problem framing and fundamentals. Carefully read event rules, understand essential physics, and complete a design cycle from idea to prototype.
In your second season, emphasize iteration and build quality. Plan testing phases, keep a simple engineering notebook, and seek feedback on techniques. As you progress, mentor newcomers, coordinate tasks, and refine leadership skills using resources from ScholarComp.
Choose one or two targeted actions for the coming weeks:
Consistency in these areas will enhance multiple skills. Small, deliberate practice beats last-minute efforts every time.
The most impressive engineering competitors have developed a toolkit of skills, including problem framing, technical fundamentals, iterative design habits, build abilities, and teamwork. You can start building that same toolkit today, one project and one competition at a time.
By treating each season as a learning opportunity, you’ll find your designs more reliable, testing more purposeful, and competitions enjoyable. Explore new events and deepen your preparation with guides and breakdowns on ScholarComp. Engineering competitions favor thoughtful preparation and growth; start where you are, develop the next skill, and let each prototype teach you more.
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