Hopefully, the dog won’t eat the homework as students prepare to compete in UNL’s annual Incredible, Edible Vehicle Competition, 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 10 in the East Union’s Great Plains Room.

The event features students in Dennis Schulte’s introductory biological systems and agricultural engineering class building and racing edible cars. Schulte, a professor of biological systems engineering, started the competition started several years ago to foster teamwork among his students.

The cars must be made entirely of food and nothing else. Students then must be able eat the car at the end of the competition.

Teams roll the cars down a sloped track to see which one travels farthest and stays in one piece. The top three teams receive a certificate. Teams also must make a poster detailing the process of making the car.

Evan Curtis, student services coordinator for the Department of Biological Systems Engineering, organized the event, which is part of E-Day, an annual day for engineers.

Curtis said there are always many unique designs using a variety of products each year. Vegetables, sausage, cheese and candy are just a few of the materials students use in making the cars. With the addition of a 1,300-calorie limit, the vehicles this year are expected to be healthier than ever before, Curtis said.

Curtis expects to have 26 freshman teams competing as well as several alumni returning to show their support in the form of a mini-career fair. Also in attendance will be 19 senior instrumentation posters.

The Department of Biological Systems Engineering is jointly in the College of Engineering and the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, which is a part of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.