University of Mary Invites Junior High and High School Students to Compete in Fourth Annual Emerging Engineers Challenge

Competition opens Engineering Week and sparks creativity, teamwork, and hands-on problem-solving at Hamm School of Engineering

BISMARCK, N.D. — The University of Mary’s Hamm School of Engineering is inviting junior high and high school students from across North Dakota to put their creativity and problem-solving skills to the test at its fourth annual Emerging Engineers competition, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, February 21, 2026.

The one-day event will kick off Engineering Week at the university, bringing young innovators to campus for a full day of design, collaboration, and competition. The engineering challenge and performance goals will be introduced to students the morning of the event, simulating real-world engineering scenarios where teams must analyze a problem, develop solutions, and execute under time constraints.

Throughout the day, students will apply the engineering design process — brainstorming, designing, building, testing, and refining — as they work in teams to meet the challenge objectives. Judges will evaluate projects based on defined performance criteria, with first-, second-, and third-place teams recognized in both the middle school and high school divisions.

The event is free, and lunch will be provided. Students of all experience levels are encouraged to participate. Registration remains open but closes at 5 p.m., Thursday, February 19. Students must register online in advance, either individually or as teams of up to five. Participants will check in the morning of the event at Chick’s Place in the Lumen Vitae University Center on the University of Mary campus.

“This is engineering at its most fun and accessible,” said Dr. Bishal Bhattarai, assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Hamm School of Engineering. “Students get to build something with their own hands, test it, see what works, what doesn’t, and then improve it. That’s exactly what real engineers do every day.”

While the specific challenge remains under wraps until competition day, organizers say the experience consistently reveals the complexity behind good design. Students must think critically, collaborate effectively, manage time wisely, and adapt quickly when their ideas don’t go as planned.

“It’s incredible to watch the creativity that emerges,” Bhattarai said. “Some teams engineer sleek, precise solutions. Others try bold, outside-the-box ideas. Every student walks away having learned something — and usually wanting to build again.”

Members of the University of Mary Engineering Club will volunteer throughout the event, mentoring teams and assisting with testing. The collaboration gives younger students direct access to college engineering mentors while allowing current Hamm engineering students to share their passion for the profession.

“Our students love supporting this competition,” Bhattarai said. “They remember when engineering first clicked for them. Being able to encourage the next generation of innovators is something they take seriously.”

The Emerging Engineers competition is open to students of all experience levels and are encouraged to register now. Organizers emphasize that curiosity and enthusiasm matter more than prior technical knowledge.

“You don’t have to be an expert,” Bhattarai said. “If you enjoy building, tinkering, competing, or figuring out how things work, this competition is for you. We’re looking for creative thinkers and future problem-solvers.”

The competition also provides participants and families an inside look at the University of Mary’s Hamm School of Engineering — one of the region’s most hands-on and rapidly growing engineering programs. The school prepares graduates for high-demand careers through immersive lab experiences, close faculty mentorship, and industry-connected learning. Academic offerings include civil engineering, construction engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, and construction management — all designed to meet workforce needs across North Dakota and beyond.

By combining rigorous academics with practical application, the Hamm School of Engineering is forming the next generation of ethical, innovative engineers — and the Emerging Engineers competition is where many of them may first discover their calling.