2026 Engineering
Design Challenge
Extend or Reimagine a Short Circuit baseline project to add new features, improve performance, or build something entirely new. Compete for cash prizes, mentorship, and certification
Read the Brief$2,250
Total Prizes
--
Days Left
3
Winner Spots
The Brief
Innovate. Build. Document.
Level up your baseline. Your mission is to iterate on a standard Short Circuit project to solve a complex engineering problem, optimize its performance, or engineer a completely original extension.
Examples of Acceptable Modifications:
| Current Version | Design Challenge Modification |
|---|---|
| Basic local smartwatch with limited networking | Cloud connected smartwatch with live notifications |
| Basic ball and beam with PID controller and EMA filtering | Ball and Beam with Kalman filtering and advanced controllers |
| Basic lane-tracking autonomous car | Car reactive to stop signs on the race track |
| Basic pick and place robotic arm under uncertain conditions | Robotic arm able to pick and place objects of various colors and sizes |
Cash Prizes
Judging Criteria
Problem Framing (20%)
Does the project show a clear problem definition, explicit constraints, and measurable success criteria?
Technical Execution (30%)
Does the project include a clean structured implementation and clear technical depth?
Creativity (30%)
Does the project try an experimental or novel method to change or improve their system?
Documentation (20%)
Does the project include documentation outlining the competencies from the rest of the rubric?
Ready to Submit Your Project?
Specific project submission instructions are available in your program materials upon purchase.
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