Civil and environmental engineering students compete against students from other universities in the steel bridge competition organized by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the American Institute for Steel Construction (AISC).

Civil and environmental engineering students compete against students from other universities in the concrete canoe competition organized by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Civil and environmental engineering students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities offered by the University, College, and Department. Participation in such activities can greatly enhance student's overall college experience. The University provides a list of all student organizations representing various professional organizations and ethnic groups, and the College of Engineering maintains a list of student organizations specifically for engineering students.

There are also two student groups composed exclusively of civil engineering students: the UH student chapters of the Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honor Society and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Membership in Chi Epsilon is by invitation only and is reserved for students who meet specific academic performance requirements, but all civil engineering students are eligible for membership in both the student and national chapters of ASCE. All civil engineering students are strongly encouraged to join ASCE.

The student chapter of ASCE undertakes various projects to further student exposure to the civil engineering profession. Guest speakers representing different aspects of engineering practice are invited to give presentations at chapter meetings. The chapter also participates in local, regional, and national conferences and assists in volunteer efforts like high school outreach programs.

The UH ASCE student chapter also takes part in two competitions each year: the ASCE/AISC Student Steel Bridge Competition and the ASCE National Concrete Canoe Competition. In the Steel Bridge Competition, the students design and fabricate a steel bridge meeting specific geometry and loading requirements and then compete with their bridge against other universities. The bridges are judged based on construction speed, weight, aesthetics, stiffness, construction economy, structural efficiency, and overall performance.

In the ASCE National Concrete Canoe Competition, the students design and construct a concrete canoe, and then compete with their canoe against other universities. In the Concrete Canoe Competition, the students are judged based on a paper/presentation about their canoe project, the finished canoe product, and on the basis of concrete canoe races between the competing schools.