AlChE ChemE Car Team

The AIChE ChemE Car competition team at Campbell's School of Engineering has made it to nationals!

We are raising funds to send our team to Minneapolis Nov. 7-9, 2026. Our goal is $7,500 which will include travel funds for our team, registration costs, and support for materials and testing for our vehicle.

About ChemE Car Competition

ChemE Car is an engineering competition for teams to design and test a car which runs on chemical reactions. The goal of the shoebox-sized car is to travel straight and stop exactly at a randomized, pre-determined distance between 15 and 30 meters. The distance is announced an hour before the start. Teams must utilize previous test data to calculate how to control their chemical reaction to get as close as possible.

The rules for the competition require the mechanism used for the car’s forward movement to be solely based on a chemical reaction (“propulsion mechanism”). Any timer needed for measuring distance must also be implemented by a chemical reaction (“stopping mechanism”). Various mechanical and electrical components that could be used to manipulate the car are banned - leaving it to chemistry alone. Therefore, intense testing must take place both to figure out the proper, effective reaction as well as to precisely and accurately reach any potential desired distance.

Your gift will help ensure these talented student engineers have the resources they need to represent Campbell University on the national stage, showcase their hard work and ingenuity, and continue building a tradition of excellence in engineering competition. Together, we can empower the next generation of innovators and make this exciting opportunity possible.

We appreciate your support of our chemical engineering concentration and students at Campbell University!