The 2024 Canadian Engineering Competition took place from March 1st to March 3rd in Calgary, Alberta, marking a significant transition for UNB Engineering students who progressed from the Atlantic Engineering Competition (AEC) to the prestigious CEC.

Olivia Gerry Rice and Brandon Doucette formed the sole two-member team in the Programming category. Despite the challenge, they secured fourth place, tackling a case focused on oil rigs and their environmental impact. Olivia reflected on the experience, noting the intense yet rewarding nature of the competition. "We prioritized based on our values and what made sense for us," she explained, highlighting the crucial role of creativity in problem-solving. “We were very confident in our abilities as a two-person team. We were proud of our performance, especially since we didn't expect to place that high.”

In the Re-Engineering category, Emma Snow and Julia McPherson won second place. This category received a case a week before the competition, which they must solve while focusing on their studies. The day of the competition, they are given eight hours to solve a new case, after which they have time to present both cases given to each group. From powering a remote Indigenous community in rural Quebec to re-engineering Google smart glasses, Emma described the day of the competition as intense but very fulfilling once they see their hard work culminate in a successful presentation. Both Emma and Julia stressed the importance of articulating ideas effectively and proving their feasibility to the judges, underscoring the critical role of communication in engineering competitions.

Ethan Garnier, Matthew Collet, and Cooper Dickson made their mark in the Programming category, securing fifth place. Their experience was characterized by a packed schedule of events and a strong sense of school pride. Despite initial intimidation, the team approached the competition with confidence, leveraging their creativity and ability to present solutions persuasively. Matthew and Cooper have competed in previous years. Although this year the competition was not easier or more relaxed, Cooper says it was more tailored towards creativity. “Whereas last year we though there was a correct way of solving the case, this year we were able to implement our own solutions and our own ideas.” The group says part of their success is thanks to their ability to sell the product they were designing to the judges. Ethan highlighted their ability to not only provide solutions but also "sell them to the judges." Matthew added, "We bring the engineering aspect to it," focusing on data analysis and creating a service-oriented presentation.

Kohen Prince-Vautour, Isaac Buckingham, Samuel Woytiuk, and Simon Scott emerged victorious in the Junior Design category, winning first place. Their project was a real-life implementation of a mechanical hand designed to reach deep into a box and pull-out obstacles of various shapes and weights. Isaac says, “It has a real-world story behind it. It was a physical prototype that had to work under certain parameters and meet design requirements, as well as respect the budget we were given.” Drawing on their experience and familiarity with materials, the team navigated challenges adeptly, showcasing the benefits of hands-on learning and problem-solving skills. “I encourage everyone to do this competition because it's been one of our best experiences. We've learned a lot about engineering in the design process. How to prove stuff to people that aren't yourself or people who are designing it. I think that’s a big part of studying engineering.”

The 2024 Canadian Engineering Competition served as a transformative experience for UNB Engineering students, marking their transition from the regional Atlantic Engineering Competition (AEC) to the prestigious CEC in Calgary, Alberta. From Olivia and Brandon's tenacity in the Programming category to Emma and Julia's innovative solutions in Re-Engineering, each team exemplified the resilience and dedication essential to success in engineering competitions. Ethan, Matthew, and Cooper's creative approach in the Programming category underscored the importance of persuasive presentation skills, while Kohen, Isaac, Samuel, and Simon's victory in Junior Design showcased the practical application of hands-on learning and problem-solving expertise. Overall, the journey from AEC to CEC symbolized the students' unwavering commitment to excellence, highlighting their capacity to thrive in the dynamic field of engineering.