Meet UBCO Steel Bridge: They are a student-led engineering design team from the University of British Columbia Okanagan. Founded in 2023, the team made history as the first annex-campus team in Canada to compete independently at the Canadian National Steel Bridge Competition. The team focuses on structural efficiency, sustainability, and hands-on fabrication, giving students the opportunity to apply classroom concepts to real-world challenges. Driven by collaboration and innovation, the team continues to grow as a cornerstone of UBCO’s engineering community.
Photo of UBCO Steel Bridge team at Canadian National Steel Bridge Competition 2025
Tell us about your team.
We’re a group of civil engineering students who came together with a shared goal: to build something real. The UBCO Steel Bridge Team was founded to give students at our campus the chance to apply what we learn in class to hands-on design and fabrication. Most of us had never welded or designed a bridge before joining, so we learned everything from the ground up, together.
Our work spans the entire lifecycle of the bridge: structural analysis, 3D modeling, design optimization, budgeting, fundraising, fabrication, and competition logistics. Every piece of the bridge—from the first sketch to the final bolt—is student-led and team-built.
What makes our team special is the culture. We’re collaborative, resourceful, and not afraid to figure things out as we go. From late nights in the shop to early morning design reviews, everyone shows up not just to work but to support each other. Whether you’re on the design, build, logistics, or outreach side, you’re part of a team that values effort, growth, and passion.
“Whether you’re on the design, build, logistics, or outreach side, you’re part of a team that values effort, growth, and passion.“
How did your team get started or grow over time?
The UBCO Steel Bridge Team started with just a handful of students who saw a gap — there were plenty of design competitions out there, but nothing at our campus that focused on structural engineering in a hands-on way. So we decided to build it from the ground up. No existing framework, no blueprint — just motivation, Google Docs, and a lot of trial and error.
Our first year was about proving that we could do it. We designed, fabricated, and competed as an independent team at the Canadian National Steel Bridge Competition — the first time a satellite campus from Canada had ever done so. From there, word spread and interest grew. What started as a small group turned into a fully structured team with subgroups for design, build, logistics, and outreach.
We’re still growing, but every step has been about laying a foundation — not just for competition success, but for building a sustainable, student-led team that future engineers at UBCO can carry forward.
What kinds of projects or competitions has your team been involved in?
Our team’s primary focus is the Canadian National Steel Bridge Competition, a national-level event where university teams are challenged to design, fabricate, and construct a scale-model steel bridge. The competition emphasizes structural efficiency, construction speed, cost-effectiveness, and compliance with strict design constraints. It’s a comprehensive test of engineering knowledge, teamwork, and hands-on problem-solving.
In addition to the competition, we’re actively involved in outreach initiatives, industry engagement, and skill development workshops. We also dedicate time to internal projects that improve our processes – from refining our fabrication techniques to experimenting with more efficient connection designs. These efforts help us grow not just as competitors, but as a learning-focused and sustainable team.
UBCO Steel Bridge at CSBC
“These efforts help us grow not just as competitors, but as a learning-focused and sustainable team.”
What has been one of your team’s proudest accomplishments so far?
There are a few milestones we’re especially proud of. First, growing the team from just a few students into a structured and motivated group has been a huge achievement on its own. Starting from almost nothing, we built a foundation for something sustainable. Seeing more students step up, take ownership, and bring new energy into the team has been incredibly rewarding.
We’re also proud of the strong relationships we’ve built with industry partners. Securing meaningful sponsorships and support from professionals in the field not only validated the work we’re doing, but helped us bridge the gap between student learning and real-world engineering.
And finally, being recognized with the Most Improved Team award at the 2025 Canadian National Steel Bridge Competition was a proud moment. It was a reflection of all the hard work, long nights, and collective effort that went into turning an ambitious idea into something real.
“It was a reflection of all the hard work, long nights, and collective effort that went into turning an ambitious idea into something real.”
What was a challenge you had as a team and how did you overcome it?
One of our biggest challenges was navigating the steep learning curve that came with starting from scratch. None of us had prior experience designing or fabricating a steel bridge, and we didn’t have an established playbook to follow. Everything, from structural design and welding to budgeting and logistics, had to be figured out through trial, error, and a lot of persistence.
What got us through was our willingness to ask for help, stay adaptable, and support one another. We reached out to professors, industry mentors, and even other teams to learn from their experiences. More importantly, we built a culture where it was okay to not have all the answers, as long as we were willing to learn. That mindset helped us move forward, one challenge at a time, and turn obstacles into stepping stones.
UBCO Steel Bridge Team showcasing their list of sponsors
How do you think student design teams contribute to the UBCO engineering experience overall?
Student design teams add a whole new layer to the engineering experience at UBCO. They take what we learn in class and push us to apply it in real, hands-on situations. From technical design to working under pressure, it’s one thing to study theory, and another to actually build something from the ground up.
At a smaller campus like UBCO, these teams also create tight-knit communities. You’re not just learning — you’re leading, collaborating, and figuring things out together. It gives students a sense of ownership and purpose that really strengthens both their skills and their confidence.
What was one of your team’s best memories’ while working together?
One of our favorite memories was the night before our presentation at the 2025 competition. Our entire team was crammed into one small hotel room, laptops out, sitting on the floor, beds, and anywhere we could find space. We were putting the final touches on our presentation, rehearsing lines, adjusting slides, and giving each other feedback.
It was chaotic in the best way. Everyone was tired, but completely dialed in. That moment really captured what our team is about, showing up for each other, figuring things out together, and having fun even under pressure. It felt less like a task and more like a group of friends doing something we all cared about.
What advice would your team give to students thinking about joining or starting a design team?
Don’t wait until you feel “ready”, just start. Whether you’re joining an existing team or thinking about starting your own, the most important thing is to take that first step. You don’t need to have all the technical knowledge figured out, you’ll learn as you go. What matters more is showing up, being willing to try, and working together with others who care.
“Don’t wait until you feel “ready”, just start.”
For those starting something new, know that it won’t be perfect at the beginning — and that’s okay. Focus on building a strong culture, finding good people, and staying consistent. The rest will come with time. Looking back, some of our best progress happened when we were figuring things out in real time, and doing it together.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Next year is going to be big for us. We’re aiming higher, from improving our structural performance and build speed, to refining our fabrication methods and making our design more innovative and sustainable. After everything we learned from our first year, we’re coming back more focused, more prepared, and more ambitious than ever.
But beyond the competition, we’re also working on growing the team, strengthening our industry connections, and creating more opportunities for students at UBCO to get involved in hands-on engineering. Whether that’s through workshops, mentoring, or community outreach, we want to make the design team experience accessible to more people.
So keep your eyes on us! We’ve got some exciting things in the works, and we’re just getting started. If you’re someone who’s curious, motivated, or just wants to build cool stuff with a great team, come find us. There’s a place for you here.
Curious about the UBCO Steel Bridge Team? Visit their website to learn more: https://www.ubcosteelbridge.ca