Academics

Student innovation to be displayed at annual Capstone Design Conference

Credit: Penn State Harrisburg / Penn StateCreative Commons

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Bots that battle, a virtual art gallery, a solar-powered lawn mower, and a charger that operates on body heat are just a few of the innovative, creative projects that will be on display at the Penn State Harrisburg School of Science, Engineering and Technology’s annual Capstone Design Conference, set for 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 6 at various locations on campus.

Senior engineering students are required to complete a capstone project, which combines classroom learning with real-life applications and is the culmination of their educational experience. In addition, students often collaborate with industry sponsors on projects of interest to these businesses. More than 50 projects in various disciplines will be on display at this year’s conference.

In addition to making presentations, students exhibit and demonstrate their projects to attendees. Local high schools are also invited to attend this event to see firsthand what a career in a STEM-related field might look like and have the opportunity to speak directly to Penn State Harrisburg students to learn more about individual programs within STEM.

Joseph Emrich, branch general manager for Johnson Controls Inc., and Daniel J. Fichtner, P.E., executive vice president of Providence Engineering, will be featured speakers at the event.

The schedule of events is as follows:

  • 7:30 a.m., Breakfast
  • 8:00 a.m., Welcome: Rafic Bachnak, director, School of Science, Engineering, and Technology
  • 8:10 a.m., Featured speaker: Joseph Emrich, branch general manager, Johnson Controls Inc.
  • 9:00 a.m., Student presentations
  • Noon, Lunch
  • 12:45 p.m., Featured speaker: Daniel J. Fichtner, executive vice president, Providence Engineering
  • 1:30 p.m., Student project exhibition and demonstrations
  • 3:30 p.m., Order of the Engineer ring ceremony (EAB 102)
  • 4 p.m., Awards ceremony

For information, visit the Capstone Design Conference website. The conference is supported in perpetuity by an endowment created by TE Connectivity. Other sponsors include ArcellorMittal, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson Architecture Planning and Interior Design, Carlisle Construction Materials, Dan Massey, Emtrol-Buell Technologies, Hischmann Belden, M.H. Eby Inc., Penn State Altoona, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Penn State University Park, PPL Utilities, Sensors Network Inc., Speech Technology and Applied Research Corporation.

Last Updated April 25, 2016