A unique, hands-on learning experience and life-long friendships are what makes these teams special.
From building race cars to launching satellites, engineering students at the University of Manitoba (UM) are pushing the boundaries of what can be accomplished. At the heart of these innovations are student-led competition teams where participants collaborate across departments to take on complex, high-stakes projects. The Price Faculty of Engineering is currently home to over a dozen teams; each focused on a different technical area and offering its own set of challenges. These teams spend an entire year and in some cases, multiple years developing brand new prototypes to meet evolving competition requirements, before travelling across Canada and internationally to put their work to the test against other top engineering institutions.
A common misconception is that these teams are only for students enrolled in engineering. In reality, engineering teams actively welcome students from diverse academic backgrounds, including those with limited experience.
What sets these teams apart from other groups is that they are entirely student-run. Members take full ownership of deadlines, decisions and coordination, developing soft skills such as teamwork, communication, time management and problem-solving. They also gain hands-on technical experience through organized workshops, strengthening their hard skills in areas like CAD, machining, circuit design, coding and systems integration. These highly transferable skills, often not developed in the classroom, are invaluable to any aspiring engineer.
Competition teams prepare students for life after graduation in ways that extend far beyond technical skills. Participation often requires stepping outside one’s comfort zone reaching out to industry partners, securing sponsorships, and building connections along the way. Many students meet future employers through these networking experiences or at competitions, which can lead to co-op placements or even full-time job opportunities. Being part of a team not only strengthens a student’s resume but also helps them stand out in interviews and ease the transition into the workforce.
Bringing a year-long project to life on competition day is an experience many students never forget. Whether it’s a car crossing the finish line, a drone lifting off, or a concrete canoe gliding across the water, those moments bring the whole team together. The wins are great, the setbacks are tough, but it’s the late nights and shared effort that build friendships that last a lifetime. Even as rivals, teams show up for one another — cheering from the sidelines, sharing tools and stepping in without hesitation when something goes wrong. It’s moments like these that capture the true spirit of engineering, as students from across the country and around the world come together in the name of innovation and collaboration.
This is exactly why student design teams at UM are more than extracurricular projects — they are transformative experiences that shape talented aspiring engineers. From learning the basics in their first year to leading groups by graduation, students grow tremendously through their journey within these teams. For many alumni, the friendships, challenges and accomplishments they experienced here remain the most meaningful part of their degree. Their stories are a reminder of what’s possible when students work together, push through challenges, and aim for something bigger than themselves.
To learn more and get involved, visit the Engineering Societies Page and read some of the highlights below.
University of Manitoba Robotics Team (UMRT): Develops planetary rovers for simulated exploration challenges.
University of Manitoba Society of Automotive Engineers Aero (UMSAE Aero): Designs and flies large radio-controlled aircraft.
University of Manitoba Space Applications and Technology Society (UMSATS): Prototypes and builds a satellite called CubeSat and a smaller-scale rocket.
University of Manitoba Unmanned Aerial Systems (UMUAS): Builds autonomous drones with advanced flight, navigation and object tracking capabilities.
University of Manitoba Agricultural Tractor Team (UMATT): Builds a quarter-scale tractor designed for strength, durability and maneuverability. The tractors are evaluated on their pulling power, innovation, durability, safety and performance in a tractor pull and field maneuverability course.
University of Manitoba Society of Automotive Engineers Baja (UMSAE Baja – Red Lion Racing): Constructs single-seat off road vehicles capable of navigating rugged terrain competing in high endurance events.
University of Manitoba Society of Automotive Engineers Formula Electric (UMSAE Formula Electric): Designs and builds open-wheel electric cars. The team competes in SAE competitions, where vehicles are evaluated on acceleration, cornering ability and overall performance.
University of Manitoba Society of Automotive Engineers Formula One (UMSAE Formula One): Designs and builds open-wheel combustion engine cars. The team, similar to its sister team Formula Electric, competes in SAE competitions where vehicles are evaluated on acceleration, cornering ability and overall performance.
University of Manitoba Biomedical Engineering Design (BMED): Engineering students pushing the boundaries of innovation by designing cutting edge biomedical devices such as prosthetics and mobility aids.
University of Manitoba EcoMotion (UMEcoMotion): Designs energy efficient electric vehicle, regularly implementing new technology to push the limits of vehicle efficiency. The team competes in the Shell Eco-marathon, where performance is measured by the highest miles per kilowatt hour (mi/kWh).
University of Manitoba Wind Energy Design (WE Design): Builds small scale wind turbine for renewable energy competitions, aiming to promote green energy.
University of Manitoba Concrete Canoe Club (UMCCC): Designs a concrete canoe engineered to stay afloat and race. Teams are evaluated on design reports, oral presentations, canoe aesthetics and performance in sprint and endurance races.
University of Manitoba Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race (UMGNCTR): Develops and races a concrete toboggan for Canada’s longest running engineering competition. Teams are judged on technical design, safety, speed, team spirit and themed presentations.
University of Manitoba Steel Bridge (UMSB): Builds a smaller scale steel bridge capable of holding hundreds of pounds with minimal deflection while meeting strict competition standards.
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