JACKSONVILLE, Fla., (Mar. 5, 2026) The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District partnered with the Society of American Military Engineers Jacksonville Post to host the 24th Annual Engineering Career Day at the Jacksonville Main Public Library on Feb. 27, 2026.
The event brought together 90 students from eight schools across Northeast Florida, challenging them to solve real-world engineering problems while interacting with professionals from government, academia and private industry.
Students worked in 22 teams to tackle two hands-on “Surprise Problems” designed to simulate real engineering challenges. Throughout the day, participants collaborated, tested their ideas and learned from 31 engineering representatives and 42 USACE volunteers, along with exhibitors from universities, architecture and engineering firms and the U.S. Navy.
The annual event, held during National Engineers Week, was designed to introduce students to careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics while demonstrating how engineering helps protect communities, infrastructure and natural resources.
A Room Full of Innovation
Nearly 90 students representing eight schools fill the room as the competition begins. Working in 22 teams, participants prepare to tackle a series of engineering challenges designed to test creativity, collaboration and critical thinking while simulating real-world engineering problems.
Participating schools included Allen D. Nease High School, Bishop Kenny High School, The Bolles School, Christ’s Church Academy, Creekside High School, First Coast High School, Fletcher High School and St. Mary’s Middle School.
Students competed in two engineering scenarios designed to simulate real-world design problems: “Sink or Sail,” which focused on buoyancy and weight distribution, and “Coastal Erosion,” which challenged teams to design shoreline protection systems capable of protecting homes from wave energy.
The First Surprise Problem - Sink or Sail
Lt. Col. Matthew Westcott, deputy commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, observes students as they begin working on the first engineering challenge of the day. Teams were tasked with building a small boat using limited materials and then testing its ability to float while holding an increasing number of coins.
The challenge introduced students to the engineering concepts of buoyancy, weight distribution and structural stability.
“The surprise problems here at Engineering Career Day help students see that engineering is more than equations and textbooks, it’s about solving real problems that protect people and communities,” said Westcott. “We’re proud to work with our partners to help inspire the next generation of engineers.”
Testing Floatability
Students carefully add coins to their boats to test how much weight their design can hold before sinking. The exercise demonstrates how small changes in engineering design can significantly impact performance and stability.
Through hands-on testing and iteration, students experience how engineers learn from both success and failure while improving their designs.
The Second Surprise Problem- Coastal Erosion
Teams then shifted their focus to the second engineering challenge of the day: coastal erosion mitigation.
Using model homes and construction materials, students designed shoreline protection systems intended to defend structures from simulated wave energy and erosion. The challenge reflected real coastal engineering projects performed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect communities and infrastructure.
Protecting the Coastline
Students constructed shoreline barriers using materials that simulate structures such as riprap, seawalls and breakwaters designed to absorb wave energy and reduce erosion.
The activity helps students understand how engineering solutions protect coastal communities while also considering environmental impacts.
“Success often lies in the details”
A close-up view highlighted riprap and shoreline barrier designs built by students to protect miniature homes during the coastal erosion challenge.
Using rock barriers and other materials, teams experimented with ways to absorb wave energy and stabilize the shoreline while preventing damage to nearby structures. The exercise helped students understand how coastal engineers design solutions that balance infrastructure protection with natural shoreline processes.
Sitting down with future engineers
Westcott sat down with middle school students during their break to discuss interests in science and engineering and the opportunities that could shape their future. Through conversations like these, students gain insight into how education, curiosity, and perseverance can lead to careers solving real-world challenges for America’s infrastructure.
“Engineering is really about solving problems that matter,” a middle school student told Wescott during the discussion. “The ideas we’re learning today could one day help protect communities, build stronger infrastructure and improve the world around you.”
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Outside the competition room, students visited exhibitor tables as part of a scavenger hunt and engineering trivia challenge designed to encourage interaction with professionals from universities, engineering firms and government agencies.
Participants spoke with representatives from 13 exhibitors, including three universities, nine architecture and engineering firms, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Navy.
Fueling Innovation
Students took a break for lunch before returning to complete the second engineering challenge and finalize their projects for judging.
The event is supported by 42 volunteers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District who assist with logistics, mentoring and judging throughout the day.
Inspiration from an Engineer
Camden Dean, a coastal engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, speaks with students about his path into engineering and the projects he works on protecting shorelines and improving navigation channels.
Dean explained how engineers design projects such as beach nourishment, jetties and breakwaters that help protect communities and support coastal ecosystems.
Recognizing Achievement
At the conclusion of the competition, judges recognized student teams that demonstrated outstanding creativity, teamwork and engineering design throughout the day’s challenges.
Awards were presented by Westcott and Capt. Matthew Williams, commander of Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southeast.
Teams were evaluated on their ability to apply engineering principles, collaborate effectively and develop innovative solutions during both Surprise Problem challenges.
Top-performing teams represented several Northeast Florida schools, with students from The Bolles School, Creekside High School and Allen D. Nease High School earning medals and recognition for their performance.
Winning students also received the Engineering Career Day trophy and plaque, with their names added to the annual trophy and earning bragging rights until next year’s competition.
Celebrating the Next Generation of Engineers
Students competed in two engineering scenarios designed to simulate real-world design problems: “Sink or Sail,” which focused on buoyancy and weight distribution, and “Coastal Erosion,” which challenged teams to design shoreline protection systems capable of protecting homes from wave energy.
Awards were presented to the top performing teams in each challenge, as well as overall competition winners.
Surprise Problem #1 – Sink or Sail
1st Place — Team 19, Creekside High School – B
2nd Place — Team 13, The Bolles School – D
3rd Place — Team 10, The Bolles School – A
Surprise Problem #2 – Coastal Erosion
1st Place — Team 10, The Bolles School – A
2nd Place — Team 1, Allen D. Nease High School – A
3rd Place — Team 16, Fletcher High School – C
Overall Competition Winners
1st Place — Team 10, The Bolles School – A
2nd Place — Team 19, Creekside High School – B
3rd Place — Team 1, Allen D. Nease High School – A
Winning teams were awarded medals and recognition during the closing ceremony, and the overall champions received the Engineering Career Day trophy and plaque, earning their place on the annual competition trophy and bragging rights until next year’s event.
Engineering for the Future
Events like Engineering Career Day play a critical role in preparing the next generation of engineers and innovators.
By connecting students with professionals from government, academia and industry, the competition provided real-world insight into how engineering solves complex challenges facing communities today.
From protecting coastlines from erosion to designing resilient infrastructure, the problems students tackled mirrored the work engineers perform every day. Through hands-on learning and mentorship programs like this, USACE engineers continue developing the talent needed to strengthen U.S. infrastructure, protect natural resources and build more resilient communities.
To learn more about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, visit: www.saj.usace.army.mil.