Previous Digital Ship Challenges
2026 Digital Ship Challenge
During the 2026 Digital Ship Challenge, high school students from around Hampton Roads had three separate divisions to choose from: Design, Systems, and Technology.
The Design Division participants, which included 25 teams, were tasked to design and construct a functional submarine that can submerge, travel a set distance underwater, and resurface in a controlled manner. The build should have effectively managed buoyancy, stability, propulsion, and waterproofing while meeting strict size and performance constraints. This challenge highlighted engineering design, iterative testing, and creative problem-solving in underwater systems.
The Systems Division participants, which included five teams, were tasked to analyze, build, and test a submarine freshwater piping system, then redesign it to adapt to a new spatial constraint while maintaining performance. They had to ensure the system was watertight, properly labeled, and capable of delivering accurate flow rates before and after modifications. This challenge focused on precision construction, system efficiency, and real-world problem solving through redesign.
The Technology Division participants, which included six teams, were tasked to design and build a remotely operated vehicle that navigates a simulated “no-visibility” underwater environment on land using sensors instead of sight. The system should have also sent and received encrypted messages and collected environmental data like temperature and pressure in real time. This challenge emphasized remote navigation, secure communication, and sensor integration in constrained conditions.
Check out the 2026 Digital Ship Challenge Video Recap:
Winners of the Design Division:
First place: Team USS Pack, Smithfield High School, Isle of Wight Schools
Second place: Team Jolly Dolphins, Ocean Lakes High School, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Third place: Team Big Fish, Advanced Technology Center, Virginia Beach City Public Schools (Not Pictured)
Winners of the Systems Division:
First place: Team GOATS, Smithfield High School, Isle of Wight Schools
Second place: Team Greater Than One, Kecoughtan High School, Hampton Public Schools (Not Pictured)
Third place: Team Subsway, Landstown High School, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Winners of the Tech Division:
First place: Team The Cyber Waves, Grassfield High School, Chesapeake Public Schools
Second place: Team The Hydroscapers, Grassfield High School, Chesapeake Public Schools
Third place: Team Bionic Bruins, Bethel High School, Hampton Public Schools
2025 Digital Ship Challenge
During the 2025 Digital Ship Challenge, high school students from around Hampton Roads were tasked with designing and building an innovative support vessel that can maintain stability at sea. Students utilized engineering design, innovation, ship design and construction, research and statistics to build their vessels to be tested against real-world situations. To see the 2025 Challenge Packet, click HERE.
The winners of the 2025 competition were:
Watch the recap video of the 2025 Digital Ship Challenge!
2024 Digital Ship Challenge
During the 2024 Digital Ship Challenge, teams were tasked with designing and building an innovative container ship that had to survive heavy seas and deliver as many containers as possible. To see the 2024 Challenge Packet, click HERE.
The winners of the 2024 competition were:
Watch the recap video of the 2024 Digital Ship Challenge!
TO SEE THE NEW 2026 DIGITAL SHIP CHALLENGE, CLICK HERE.