Professor Harwood and Professor Buchholz, who specialize in ocean-related technologies, gave the students the context they needed before tackling the ship design challenge with their teams. The challenge was about creating the most effective design and learning how to work through setbacks, re-evaluate solutions, and improve upon initial ideas. After the first test of the students’ model ships, teams had the opportunity to refine their designs and incorporate feedback to improve performance. Some teams saw their ship’s weight-carrying capacity improve by more than 200% during their second round of testing. 

In addition to these technical skills, students developed an appreciation for the engineering design process. “Students gained a new understanding of how engineers approach challenges— plan, analyze, hypothesize, and remain flexible when things don’t go as expected,” said Professor Harwood.  

Professor Harwood and Professor Buchholz were instrumental in the event’s success and impact, guiding students through the challenges and offering insights from their own research in marine science and technology. “The students benefited from applying their design, problem-solving, and teamwork skills to a new context they may not have considered before,” said Professor Buchholz. Professor Harwood emphasized the importance of making connections between students and real-world engineers, helping them see how skills in engineering and design apply to fields like ocean exploration. The students also experienced practical lessons in design and testing, helping them understand how failures, such as a ship capsizing during testing, are just part of the learning process.  

For the professors, the event reinforces the importance of engaging with students outside the classroom, helping to inspire students to explore marine science, engineering, and ocean engineering.  

By the Numbers

• 50 student participants in 3rd-8th grade
• 7 FIRST LEGO League teams from Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Port Byron, Waukee, and Waterloo
• 3 events at IIHR’s state-of-the-art fluids laboratory in the College of Engineering’s Seamans Center