Brevard Public Schools made history this week as six high schools came together for the First Annual Districtwide Design & Conquer Construction Competition, hosted at Viera High School. The energy was electric as students from Astronaut High School, Cocoa High School, Palm Bay Magnet High School, Viera High School, Heritage High School, and Space Coast Junior/Senior High School united for a challenge unlike anything the district has ever seen.
What unfolded was more than a competition, it was a celebration of talent, teamwork, and the bright future of Brevard’s skilled workforce.
A Competition Built on Collaboration
From the moment students arrived, the excitement was unmistakable. But instead of competing school‑against‑school, organizers took a bold approach: students were placed into mixed‑school teams, often meeting their teammates for the very first time.
Each team blended a unique mix of CTE disciplines—construction and carpentry, electrical engineering, and HVAC—mirroring the real‑world dynamics of today’s job sites, where diverse experts must come together quickly and work as one.
The task? A two‑hour, high‑pressure build challenge designed to push their technical skills, problem‑solving, and communication to the limit.
Two Hours. One Build. Countless Skills Put to the Test.
Under the watchful eyes of industry professionals, teams raced to complete a series of construction tasks, including:
Framing two 4' x 6' walls and securing them into an L‑shape
Roughing‑in window and door openings
Installing drywall
Adding functional electrical components
Mounting a mini‑split HVAC unit
Every step had to be completed safely, accurately, and professionally mirroring the standards expected in the workforce.
The pressure was real. The stakes were high. And yet, team after team rose to the challenge with grit, focus, and impressive technical skill.
Judged by the Pros
Industry leaders lined the competition space, watching each move and jotting down notes. Their score was based on:
Accuracy
Craftsmanship
Safety protocols
Team communication
Professionalism under pressure
For students, the feedback was invaluable—straight from the people who hire the talent they’re training to become.
A Proud Moment for Brevard
The inaugural Design & Conquer Competition set a new bar for what hands‑on CTE events can look like in Brevard County. It strengthened connections between schools, showcased the growing demand for skilled trades, and placed students in scenarios that mirror real‑world industry expectations.
And most importantly—it inspired.
BPS could not be prouder of the students who participated, the educators who prepared them, and the industry partners who helped bring this vision to life.
This was more than an event.
It was the start of a new tradition—one that elevates our students, our programs, and our community.
Here’s to next year’s competition… and to the future builders of Brevard.