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. This year’s challenge took place on Saturday, April 25, 2026 in Suffolk, VA.
With over 120 students from Hampton Roads participating this year in three separate divisions, it was a great success!
Check out the 2026 Digital Ship Challenge Video Recap:
2026 Digital Ship Challenge
The 2026 Digital Ship Challenge had three separate challenges that teams could choose from:
Design Division – CLICK HERE (Updated March 23, 2026)
Systems Division – CLICK HERE (Updated March 16, 2026)
Tech Division – CLICK HERE (Updated March 16, 2026)
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
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, formerly known as the community showcase, 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 Thursday, December 18, 2025.
Sponsors enable student teams to participate and compete in the Challenge. By sponsoring a team(s), your company’s contribution goes directly to cover the costs associated with project materials, lunch, t-shirts, and awards. All sponsors are recognized on all promotional materials and marketing for the challenge. Sponsoring a team is a great way to show your company’s support of our local students.
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.