Preparing Student Teams For Competition In A Virtual Environment

We review the effect of the shift from face-to-face to virtual activity in preparing a student team for a high level competition, where collaboration, team work and individual responsibility are key to success. We examine the ways competitions themselves have changed to accommodate online learning, and the effect on student preparation, engagement and learning. We use the specific example of the Fed Challenge. Some activities which had to be rethought include collaboration, team building and individual responsibility. New skill development included technical knowledge and the need for adaptability and resilience. We share lessons learned, including both challenges and solutions.