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FPE Design Challenge

Looking for a fun, tactile, STEM-filled project for your students that tackles real-world problems? Contact us today to participate in the Fire Protection Engineering High School Design Challenge (FPEDC)!

2024 Winning Team DeMatha Catholic High School.

What is the Fire Protection Engineering Design Challenge (FPEDC)?
 

The FPEDC is a one-of-a-kind competition open to high school students in Maryland, Washington D.C, and Virginia. It involves the design, construction and (burn) testing of a small housing model where the challenge is to provide innovative means of fire detection and suppression.

By participating in the program, students will:

  • Understand the principles of fire protection engineering
  • Gain experience in creative design and construction
  • Practice the scientific method to formulate and test hypotheses
  • Develop increased confidence in their abilities to succeed in STEM 

If you are a student: Build Your Team!

No technical expertise is required to participate in the competition - all teams will receive the necessary background on core Fire Protection Engineering skills (through lecture videos, written instruction materials and professional fire protection engineers who volunteer as mentors) needed to effectively participate in the program. The Challenge will accommodate as many teams as are created at each participating school. Each team should nominate a leader who will serve as liaison between the team and FPE.

For your group to be officially recognized as a participating team, you will need to complete the Student Team Registration form (only one application is required for each team).

If you're a teacher: Serve as an In-School Mentor!

Each participating team will be assigned a professional fire protection engineer who is volunteering as a mentor. Mentors are not required to lecture as students are provided with an easy-to-follow curriculum and supplementary videos that cover all the information they need to know to effectively participate in the competition. Mentors, however, are expected to meet with students (either virtually or in person) over the course of the competition to clarify concepts, conduct lab demonstrations, and provide guidance. Mentors are expected to be available via email to answer student inquiries that specifically pertain to their projects. 

If you are a fire protection engineer: Become a Professional Mentor!

Each participating team will be assigned a professional mentor. Mentors are not required to lecture as students are provided with an easy-to-follow curriculum and supplementary videos that cover all the information they need to know to effectively participate in the competition. However, mentors are expected to meet with students (either virtually or in person) over the course of the competition to clarify concepts, conduct lab demonstrations, and provide guidance. Mentors should be available via email to answer student inquires that specifically pertain to their projects. 

Registration for all teams is due via a completed form submission in the fall semester. Teachers and mentors will be provided access to all needed FPE Design Challenge information the week after registration closes.

THE PROCESS: 
1:  Review Opening Session
2: Participate in Mentor-led Opening Session Group Activity
3: Review FPE Design Challenge E-Book
4: Watch Instructional Videos
5: Design, Test, Build (and redesign, then re-test, then test again!)
6: Attend the Final Burn Event: April, date TBD @ the ATF Lab

 

The winning team is presented with a trophy to be housed at their school for the academic year after their win.  The winning team name, school, and year is placed on the trophy for posterity and is listed on our website.  Individual members receive department swag.

 

Questions? Please send an email to enfp@umd.edu. 
 


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