GREENSBORO — A student team from Mayland Community College took first place in the state at the SkillsUSA North Carolina State Leadership and Skills Conference, held in Greensboro.
Competing in the Engineering Technology and Design category, Wyatt Hayes, Aaron Ayers, and Layla Wilson — students in Mayland’s Applied Engineering program — will now represent North Carolina at the SkillsUSA National Championships in Atlanta, Ga., this June, according to a Mayland press release.
For their project, the students identified a real-world problem common to remote-controlled rovers used by SWAT teams: low ground clearance, which limits the rover’s ability to move effectively through rough or debris-filled environments during tactical operations.
To solve the issue, the team engineered a custom portal axle system — a design that raises the body of the rover without increasing its overall size. Portal axles use a specialized gear configuration that places the axle above the wheel hub, providing critical clearance underneath the vehicle and improving off-road performance.
The team designed the system in SolidWorks, created and tested prototypes using 3D printing, and machined the final components using a CNC (computer numerical control) mill. They presented their solution to a panel of judges, including engineering documentation, cost analysis, project timelines, and a live demonstration of their working prototype.
“These students didn’t just complete a project — they identified a real-world problem and engineered a solution from the ground up,” said Lyndell Duvall, program coordinator and instructor of Applied Engineering, who served as the team’s on-site advisor. “Their work demonstrates initiative, technical skill, and the kind of thinking employers are looking for.”
The project was developed under the guidance of Andrew Church, coordinator of Mayland’s Rapid Prototyping Center, who supported the students through the design and build phases. Although Church was unable to attend the competition, his mentorship played a key role in their success.
“This achievement is a powerful example of what’s possible when students are given the freedom and tools to innovate,” said Dr. John Boyd, president of Mayland Community College. “We are incredibly proud of this team — not only for their victory but for the integrity, vision, and skill they brought to this challenge.”
SkillsUSA is a national organization that empowers students to become world-class workers and leaders in technical, skilled service, and health occupations. The Engineering Technology and Design competition challenges students to solve complex problems through applied engineering, documentation, teamwork, and public presentation.
For more information about Mayland’s Applied Engineering program visit www.mayland.edu.