Over 500 engineering students from the University of Texas at Tyler are scheduled to participate in the fifth annual Ratliff Relays this Saturday on the university's main campus in Tyler. The event, hosted by the UT Tyler College of Engineering, will challenge more than 100 student teams to apply their academic knowledge to a series of open-ended engineering problems. These problems have been meticulously developed over an eight-week span, designed to test practical skills and innovative thinking.
The Ratliff Relays serve a dual purpose, as articulated by Carla Lacerda, a chemical engineering professor. Lacerda explained that the competition is "focused at building teamwork, building community between students." This emphasis on collaboration and peer connection is central to the event's design. Furthermore, the relays actively involve industry professionals, with Lacerda noting, "we also bring in active industry and local engineers from East Texas to help develop community among everybody." This integration allows students to interact with established professionals, fostering valuable connections within the East Texas engineering sector. The preparation for these challenges is extensive, with both students and industry professionals dedicating weeks to designing prototypes, presenting their detailed plans, and meticulously building their projects. This hands-on process culminates in the Saturday competition.
This year's Ratliff Relays represents a significant milestone, marking the largest competition yet in its five-year history. Professor Lacerda underscored the growth, stating, "This year, we’re bigger. We have the biggest population of students ever." The expanded scale is evident in the diverse array of five distinct challenges that participants will undertake. These challenges are designed to assess a broad spectrum of engineering disciplines and practical application. Competitors will navigate drone obstacle courses, showcasing precision and control. Other challenges include the construction and launch of water bottle rockets and carbon dioxide bottle rockets, which test principles of propulsion and aerodynamics. A traditional and popular event, the cardboard canoe race, will also be featured, demanding ingenuity in material science and structural design. Notably, a new challenge has been introduced by the Department of Computer Science: a tomato-throwing robotics contest, indicating an expansion into modern robotics and automation.
The community is encouraged to attend this free, family-friendly event. No registration is required for members of the public who wish to experience the excitement and innovation on display. The Ratliff Relays will be held on UT Tyler’s main campus in Tyler, Texas, running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. This provides an accessible opportunity for residents of Tyler and surrounding areas to witness the practical application of engineering principles and celebrate the achievements of local university students.
