Skillset 1: Communication

Early in the season, our team faced challenges with communication. Tasks were occasionally misunderstood, and ideas weren’t always clearly expressed during meetings. To improve, we introduced structured check-ins, used shared digital tools, and designated communication leads. This allowed for clearer updates, better collaboration, and a smoother workflow. Stronger communication also helped us prepare clearer technical documents and confidently present our ideas to judges.

Skillset 2: Problem Solving

One major challenge we faced was when the container attached to our ROV began leaking during testing. It held important components, and without it, our design wouldn’t be functional. With little time left, we had to quickly find a replacement that was watertight, durable, and could still fit all our internal parts. After testing a few options, we adapted a new container, adjusted our mounting system, and rewired certain parts to make everything fit. This situation taught us how to stay calm under pressure, adapt quickly, and creatively solve real-time problems — a key skill for any engineering project.

Skillset 3: Teamwork/Collaboration

At the start, we sometimes had overlapping roles and uneven task distribution. Over time, we learned to assign responsibilities based on strengths and support one another through tight deadlines. When our ROV malfunctioned during a crucial test, every team member jumped in — from troubleshooting to documenting fixes. That moment showed how much we’d grown into a united, efficient, and supportive team.