The first-class undergraduate teaching is the core part of "Double World-class" construction in Chinese colleges and universities. In order to achieve the objectives of training "first-class talents" in first-class undergraduate education, the "student-oriented" education philosophy should be adopted in teaching. Through guiding students to participate actively in National Structure Design Competition, the students are trained to improve their abilities of problem solving, innovation, practicing and team-cooperation. Their ability to use professional knowledge comprehensively is also enhanced. Referring to some specific practices and good effects of structure design competition, three measures are suggested in teaching of structural mechanics, which are adding qualitative analysis content, strengthening practice teaching and adopting inquiry learning method. These measures can complement the deficiency of knowledge application training in traditional teaching.