Senior engineering students showcase engineering projects

Contact: Deanne Puca
Photo of engineering students with a small helicopter.

Engineering students pose with one of their creations.

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University engineering students will showcase and demonstrate their senior projects at WMU's 58th Conference on Senior Engineering and Design from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, at the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

The event, on WMU's Parkview Campus, is free and open to the public.

Seniors will present the projects they have completed to solve problems facing business and industry. Many of the projects are sponsored by more than 30 southwest Michigan companies listed online in the Senior Engineering Design Conference brochure, available at wmich.edu/engineer/news/seniors.

There are a variety of disciplines involved, including civil and construction engineering; computer science; electrical and computer engineering; engineering design, manufacturing and management systems; industrial and entrepreneurial engineering and engineering management; mechanical and aerospace engineering; and paper and chemical engineering. 

Projects include a human powered bicycle generator that can power home and office applications, a large-scale self-synchronizing clock and an update to a mobile app identifying streetlight and power outages for energy company consumers.

The conference is held twice each year, in April and December, to showcase the work of graduating seniors in the engineering disciplines who are required to complete a real-world capstone project. The capstone design course is an important component of the senior year and is a traditional part of many engineering programs.

For more information, contact Tamara Bergman at tamara.s.bergman@wmich.edu or call (269) 276-3248.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.