Digital Ship Challenge
Are you ready to witness the next generation of maritime innovation?
The Digital Ship Challenge is an annual regional competition for high school students across Hampton Roads. Student teams, led by their teachers and mentored by local maritime industry representatives, design, build, test, and present innovative solutions to today’s maritime challenges.
2027 Digital Ship Challenge
NEW for the 2027 Digital Ship Challenge – FOUR divisions instead of THREE! Right now, we have all four division briefs. The Division Briefs introduce your team’s mission, professional role, and the real-world context behind this year’s challenge. See below for more information.
Teams, to sign up, please fill out the 2027 Digital Ship Challenge Intent to Participate
Get Involved!
Team Mentors, in coordination with their respective teacher, work directly with a student team. Similar to a coach, mentors apply their personal experience and skill to assist students with understanding maritime-related concepts as they apply to the design, construction, and performance of their vessel or system. By participating, industry professionals help inspire the next generation and strengthen the future maritime workforce.
Maritime Connect is an opportunity for local maritime industries and organizations to meet with high school students interested in the maritime ecosystem. This is your chance to engage with these bright and motivated students who will make up tomorrow’s workforce. Maritime Connect will be held in December, 2026.
Sponsors enable student teams to participate and compete in the Challenge. Sponsorships directly support Challenge materials, event experiences, meals, shirts, and awards while providing recognition for your company throughout the Challenge. New this year: sponsorship levels.
PLATINUM LEVEL SPONSOR: $1,500 =
-Primary logo placement on event items
-Logo placement on participant t-shirts
-Initial start up funds for students
GOLD LEVEL SPONSOR: $1,000 =
-Logo placement on event marketing items
-Logo placement on participant t-shirts
SILVER LEVEL SPONSOR: $500 =
-Logo placement on event marketing items
-Acknowledgement on participant t-shirts
To get involved, click HERE.
To see previous Digital Ship Challenges, click HERE.
Contact Information
For any questions related to the Digital Ship Challenge, please contact Jennifer Renne, VDMC Curriculum Coordinator, at jrenne@odu.edu.