More than 70 SUNY New Paltz students in mechanical, electrical and computer engineering showcased innovative capstone projects and prototypes at the 2023 Engineering Design EXPO on Friday, May 5.
This end-of-year tradition for the Division of Engineering Programs simulates the real-world demands of industrial professions, challenging undergraduate engineering majors – most of whom are seniors on the eve of graduation – to work in teams on original design projects that solve actual problems and demonstrate legitimate scientific and commercial potential.
“In the industrial world, technical skills are important, but this capstone EXPO is about how soft skills are critically important to your success,” said Dean of the School of Science & Engineering Dan Freedman. “Next year, your job might hinge on the project outcome, or more importantly, the life and safety of the people using what you design.”
The EXPO is the culmination of the Senior Design Project, a requirement for all undergraduates in New Paltz engineering programs. Future engineers learn in the course of a year how to work together to build on original ideas or improve upon existing structures from previous capstone courses. They also collaborate with faculty advisors who offer insight and expertise helping students refine their ideas.
After a year or more spent creating these projects, the EXPO gives students a platform to showcase their products before an audience that includes their peers and professors as well as industry leaders and business owners and managers.
“It’s exciting to see young people be so creative,” said Everton Henriques ’78 ’83g (Chemistry), a veteran entrepreneur and inventor and a highly engaged SUNY New Paltz alumnus. “Being here at the EXPO gives me hope for the future.”
Among the 16 designs presented at this year’s event was one that’s already seen some action on the New Paltz campus. The Library Robot, was first envisioned as a Computer Science and Engineering capstone project that could lend a hand to staff corralling stray books at the Sojourner Truth Library. Its mixture of components, including a seven-foot pole with circuitry, sensors and an app allowing for remote control, offer a representative demonstration of how students combine expertise in mechanical, electrical and computer engineering to an end result that’s more than the sum of its parts.
“We all came from different backgrounds and fields of study, but it was wonderful to see us come together to build upon something extraordinary,” said Andrzej Lisiecki ’23 (Electrical Engineering).
Other teams developed projects built for higher speeds.
“I work for my family’s mechanic shop, so I’ve been building cars from a young age,” said Timothy Pforzheimer ’23 (Mechanical Engineering), who was the team lead behind on a project that createdto make a Formula One-style robotic race car for competition. “This project allowed us to be hands–on, which is unique in an engineering curriculum, and certainly allowed me to take a big step in combining my background as a mechanic with the principles of engineering.”
Other participants included recipients of the Robert Kyncl ’95 and Luz Avila Kyncl ’96 Computer Science & Engineering Scholarship Fund, established to offset tuition costs for students, especially women and minorities, seeking careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and related industries.
“The scholarship actually made me more interested in pursuing what I like,” said Paulina Wiater ’23 (Mechanical Engineering), who worked on a Solar-Powered, 3D-Printed Centrifugal Pump. “It pushed me to do better because I knew I had these alumni supporting me and I wanted to make the most of it.”
The Division of Engineering Programs thanks ELNA Magnetics and Central Hudson® for their support of the spring 2023 Engineering Design EXPO.
