Each year, the Geo-Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers hosts a series of five student competitions during Geo-Congress. Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to participate and showcase their geotechnical engineering knowledge, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
The annual Geo-Challenge program includes the following competitions:
Geo-Wall
The objective of the Geo-Wall competition is to design and build a model mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining wall using paper reinforcement attached to a posterboard wall facing. Teams aim to use the minimum amount of reinforcement while supporting the retained soil and design loads.
Geo-Prediction
The Geo-Prediction competition challenges students to develop accurate predictions of geotechnical behavior based on detailed information regarding subsurface conditions, boundary conditions, and applied loading. Predictions may involve analytical methods, empirical correlations, geotechnical software, or simple computational models.
Geo-Poster
The Geo-Poster competition invites students to present original geotechnical research or design work. Posters often highlight senior design projects, class design work, or student research experiences related to the theme of the annual Geo-Congress.
Geo-Video
The Geo-Video competition encourages students to develop short, engaging videos that explain geotechnical engineering concepts. Videos should be clear, educational, and accessible for use in classrooms—from elementary school through university—as well as for general audiences interested in understanding geotechnical principles.
Geo-Shirt
The Geo-Shirt competition invites students to design the official t-shirt for all Geo-Challenge participants at Geo-Congress. Submissions should be original designs that reflect geotechnical engineering and the spirit of the Geo-Challenge program.
Geo-Challenge 2026
Tuesday, March 10 | 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Salt Lake City, Utah
The Geo-Institute will host the Geo-Challenge 2026 during Geo-Congress 2026 in Salt Lake City. Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to participate and demonstrate their geotechnical engineering skills through hands-on design, prediction, research, and communication competitions.
Full competition rules, deadlines, eligibility requirements, and submission details for all five Geo-Challenge events are available on the Geo-Congress 2026 website.