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The Engineering Competition Gauntlet (TECh Gauntlet) once again tested first and second-year engineering students through creative, hands-on challenges designed to turn theory into action.

Organized by PhD students and part-time academics Connor Mullins and Mandi Wilson in Dalhousie’s Department of Engineering, the Gauntlet continues to grow as a cornerstone of experiential learning in the Truro Campus Engineering program.

“This competition allows students to truly test what they’ve learned in a practical way that also provides them with a real feeling of accomplishment when it’s all said and done,” stated Mullins. “Not to mention it offers them a competitive outlet that encourages creativity, teamwork, and a bit of friendly rivalry” he added.

Experiential Learning in Action

Beyond competition, the 2025 TECh Gauntlet demonstrates the value of experiential education in engineering. Students applied SolidWorks design, Arduino programming, and fabrication in fast-paced, team-based contexts, mirroring professional practice.

“It’s one thing to design on a screen,” said Mullins, “but it’s another thing to build, test, and improve your design in real-time.”

Wilson added, “Doing all of this under time pressure, in a team environment, is a great reflection of their future engineering work.”

Held within the faculty’s Friday-afternoon block, the Gauntlet allows broad participation without interfering with classes. Mullins and Wilson credit the Department of Engineering's support for making it possible to keep expanding the competition.

“Each year, we see students grow more confident, creative, and capable through this competition,” said Mullins. “It’s not just about the engineering challenges, it’s about giving them experiences that build resilience, critical thinking, and collaboration skills that will carry into their future studies and professional careers.”

TECh Gauntlet continues to show how Dalhousie’s Truro engineering students are developing technical mastery and teamwork through creative extracurricular activities, not just coursework.

“Events like this show students that engineering isn’t only theory and technical skills, it’s what you do with those in your own creative way when solving problems.” concluded Wilson.

Four Rounds of Ingenuity

Fourteen teams competed in a knockout-style, four-round tournament, each stage emphasizing different aspects of design, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Round 1 – Doh-y Dimension

Teams developed bridges using only Play-Doh and Popsicle sticks, racing to create the structure that could hold the most weight.

Round 2 – Dam Deflection

Students faced a simulated disaster scenario, tasked with designing a deflection system to protect a cotton field model from a sudden flood surge caused by a dam break.

Round 3 – Disruptive Drive

Competitors were challenged to rethink the wheel. The remaining four teams were tasked with designing an anything-but-round wheel for a car to complete an obstacle course.

Round 4 – Delivery Dominion

For the final six-hour round, teams built and programmed delivery rovers tasked with transporting as many “astronauts” as possible through the varied terrain of Planet Bristol.

“Now we just have to build it,” claimed competitor Alastair Stockdale, a phrase later echoed by teammate Emmett Bray-Jones as the unofficial motto of the day.

Nuts and Volts Claim the Crown

After hours of designing, testing, and reiterating, the team Nuts and Volts, Olivia Caissie (2nd Year) and Dominik Davis (1st Year), emerged as champions. Their rover navigated the obstacle course’s second segment with precision, earning them the narrow win in a close final score.

Runners-up Alastair Stockdale and Emmett Bray-Jones, competing as Not Here for the 10%, impressed judges with a detailed presentation and strong technical defence,

“This year’s Gauntlet competitors as a group demonstrated real commitment to learning, both in and outside the classroom,” said Mandi Wilson. “The enthusiasm they brought to every challenge made the Gauntlet a fun event for them and us.”