Embodiments of the present invention provide a sandwich composite panel assembly including a first face plate having an inside and an outside surface; two or more first shear connectors coupled to said inside surface of said first face plate; a second face plate having an inside and an outside surface; and two or more second shear connectors coupled to said inside surface of said second face plate; wherein, when said panel is assembled, said first and second face plates define a cavity for receiving a filler material and each of said first shear connectors is coupled to a corresponding one of said second shear connectors within said cavity. The shear connectors may have a variety of different shapes and sizes.