First-year spotlight on design
Fall term engineering/computer science students enrolled in Basic Engineering (BE) 1200 Design in Engineering exhibit their engineered group projects and compete for awards in a fun interactive First Year Spotlight on Design event.
The course is centered on the core principles of engineering practice: design, teamwork and professional ethics. The event empowers first-year students to pursue engineering excellence and nurture relevant problem-solving ideas that cover a wide range of applications.
Fellow students, BE 1200 students' family members, and local high schools/community members are invited to interact with the groups, view their projects, and vote for their favorite engineered design. The winning team has bragging rights to our 3D-printed trophy, and their project design lives in our glass case.
Fall 2019 was our inaugural First Year Spotlight on Design event; 275 first-year students created 70 projects. Here's a sample of team project topics.
- pizza delivery drone
- smart home
- folding chair
- adjustable wrench
- mechanical hand
- toy car
- vise-grip pliers
- racing drone
- 2D hydrocephalus model
BE 1200 is a great way to start your engineering experience, and this event is a fun way to showcase your engineering skills.
2024 event
On December 6, 2024, a total of 73 student teams competed in the fourth edition of the First Year Engineering Spotlight. Projects were completed across eight sections of BE 1200.
Congratulations to the award winners and everyone who participated!
- First place
DinoPill- a smart, automated pill dispenser to ensure timely and accurate medication management
Team: Shree Subramaniyan, Morgan Williams, Allen Jayden, Noah Sobers
Faculty: Carolyn Harris
- Second place (Tied)
1v1 Arcade- a two-screen, two controller arcade gaming system with built-in privacy screens, aiming to revive in-person interaction and nostalgic arcade experiences
Team: Nikhita Ramesh Babu, Misheel Chuluunbaatar, Devendra Ranjan
Faculty: Lubna Alazzawi
Bartender Tank- a 3D-printed tank that can move electronically and deliver drinks to people
Team: Drew Rost, Thomas McCourt, Hani Samara, Nate Moras
Faculty: Jim Lenn - Third place
Front and Rear Suspension- design for a lightweight car with fully functional suspension, providing a smooth escape solution for navigating rough terrain
Team: Ben Koenigbauer, Noah Meyers, Kiet Tran, Caden Willcock
Faculty: Jim Lenn