Academics

Annual Capstone Design Conference to showcase student innovation and creativity

Penn State Harrisburg senior engineering students showcase their capstone projects at the annual Capstone Design Conference. Credit: Penn State Harrisburg / Penn State. Creative Commons

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Penn State Harrisburg’s School of Science, Engineering and Technology will hold its annual Capstone Design Conference from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, May 4, on campus.

Innovative and creative student-designed projects to be displayed at the event include a driver drowsiness detection system that helps prevent accidents caused by drowsy drivers; an exoskeleton hand to aid in hand rehabilitation; a 3-D printed orthopedic implant for pediatric oncology patients; a 3-D scanning drone designed to aid in inspections of structures such as bridges and water towers; and many more.

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.

Susan Steele, P.E., senior bridge erection engineer at High Steel Structures, LLC., will be the featured speaker at the event.

The schedule of events is as follows:

— 7:30 a.m., Breakfast (Gym, Capital Union Building)

— 8 a.m., Welcome: Dr. Rafic A. Bachnak, P.E., director, School of Science, Engineering, and Technology

— 8:10 a.m., Featured Speaker: Susan Steele, P.E., senior bridge erection engineer, High Steel Structures, LLC.

— 9 a.m., Student Presentations (Olmsted Building)

  • Civil Engineering: Room C211; C213 (Auditorium)          
  • Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology: Room C211
  • Computer Science: Room E243; E244
  • Electrical Engineering and Technology: Room E209; E218
  • Multi-Disciplinary Projects: Room E219
  • Mechanical Engineering and Technology: Room E240; E254; E258; E261; E265

— Noon, Lunch (Gym, Capital Union Building)

— 12:45 p.m., Featured Speaker: Dennis J. Butler, Esq., partner, Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP, Intellectual Property Law

— 1:30 p.m., Student Project Exhibition and Demonstrations - (Educational Activities Building and Engineering Laboratory)

—3:30 p.m., Order of the Engineer Ring Ceremony (EAB 102)

— 4 p.m., Awards Ceremony (EAB 102)

For information, visit the Capstone Design Conference website. The conference is supported in perpetuity by an endowment created by TE Connectivity. 

Last Updated April 27, 2018