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When the four-person Chem-E-Car team from the University of New Haven arrived at the Northeast Regional competition, they knew they faced tough competition.

�Ӱ�ԭ��It was extremely daunting at first�Ӱ�ԭ��being the only primarily undergraduate institution (PUI) among well-funded, prestigious universities with more people and more experience,�Ӱ�ԭ�� Dyllan Bryans �Ӱ�ԭ��27, a chemical engineering major on the team, recalled.

This year marked the University�Ӱ�ԭ��s return to the Chem-E-Car competition after a multi-year hiatus. The challenge was to build a small chemically powered car that can travel a specific distance with extreme precision. It�Ӱ�ԭ��s a demanding test of both chemical engineering know-how and collaboration.

The team placed fifth�Ӱ�ԭ��beating out several big names in engineering, such as Yale and Northeastern, in the competition that took place last month at the University of Rhode Island.

�Ӱ�ԭ��While we know there�Ӱ�ԭ��s room to improve, placing fifth and having our car successfully run both times made us incredibly proud,�Ӱ�ԭ�� chemical engineering major Tristyn Barnes �Ӱ�ԭ��26 said. �Ӱ�ԭ��It was a huge accomplishment for our team�Ӱ�ԭ��s first return in a while. We proved that a small team could stand shoulder to shoulder with major research universities.�Ӱ�ԭ��

The car itself was an innovative blend of science and creativity. �Ӱ�ԭ��Our use of gelatin truly made our car stand out,�Ӱ�ԭ�� Nya Long �Ӱ�ԭ��27, a mechanical engineering major, explained. �Ӱ�ԭ��Interestingly, other schools tried to use gelatin and weren�Ӱ�ԭ��t successful�Ӱ�ԭ��but we made it work.�Ӱ�ԭ��

The students leaned into experimentation and their resourcefulness. Each member took on a critical role, contributing unique skills and ideas that made the car not only functional but distinctive.

�Ӱ�ԭ��The biggest challenges we faced were our hectic schedules, limited time, lack of previous experience, and the general chaos during the competition,�Ӱ�ԭ�� Long admitted.

Everything had to be built from the ground up.

With just four team members, communication had to be sharp, and teamwork was non-negotiable. �Ӱ�ԭ��What really made our car special was the way each of us contributed in a unique and essential way,�Ӱ�ԭ�� Bisher Lpizra �Ӱ�ԭ��25, fellow chemical engineering major said. �Ӱ�ԭ��Everyone played a critical role.�Ӱ�ԭ��

Beyond the technical success, each team member walked away with something personal. For Barnes, it was a reminder of what truly matters: �Ӱ�ԭ��Teamwork is the key to success.�Ӱ�ԭ�� Long found direction for the future. �Ӱ�ԭ��This experience helped me realize where I want to go,�Ӱ�ԭ�� she said.

Bryans took away an important lesson in emotional control. �Ӱ�ԭ��I learned the importance of staying calm under pressure�Ӱ�ԭ��especially when communication gets tough in stressful situations,�Ӱ�ԭ�� he said. And for Lpizra, it came down to diligence: �Ӱ�ԭ��Always double, triple, and quadruple check everything.�Ӱ�ԭ��

Their experience has already started to pay off. They�Ӱ�ԭ��re thinking about improvements for next year�Ӱ�ԭ��s competition and encouraging others to join the team. The more hands on deck, the better the car, and the stronger the connections between students applying what they�Ӱ�ԭ��ve learned in the classroom to real-world problems.

�Ӱ�ԭ��Come on in�Ӱ�ԭ��we need more people,�Ӱ�ԭ�� Lpizra said. �Ӱ�ԭ��It�Ӱ�ԭ��s a lot of fun and a great experience. Plus, it looks fantastic on your resume. You�Ӱ�ԭ��ll feel proud using what you�Ӱ�ԭ��ve learned in class to solve real engineering challenges.�Ӱ�ԭ��