Golf simulator, smart headband highlight Undergraduate Engineering Expo

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Improved treatments for stormwater and landfill leachate, a better way to administer vaccines, an adaptive golf simulator and a headband that monitors the wearer’s hydration are among the 275 senior design projects that will be on display Friday, May 17, at the 20th annual Engineering Undergraduate Expo.

More than 1,000 students from the Oregon State University College of Engineering will take part in the expo, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kelley Engineering Center, Johnson Hall and the adjacent Community Plaza.

The event is free and open to the public. Students share their work through the use of models, demonstrations and posters.

As usual, a number of this year’s projects are sponsored by companies and other organizations including Ninkasi Brewing, OMSI, HP Inc., Intel, Tektronix, Daimler Trucks North America, Garmin, Weyerhaeuser and Adobe.

“The Engineering Undergraduate Expo is one way we prepare students for responsible citizenship and global competitiveness,” said Scott Ashford, Kearney Professor and dean of the College of Engineering. “When they graduate, they join a community of high achievers whose collective efforts solve seemingly intractable problems, strengthen individuals and communities and contribute to a better world.”

Industry partners, alumni, the media, prospective students, peers, representatives of other academic institutions and the general public will have the opportunity to interact directly with students, ask questions and exchange ideas.

The student projects also address subjects including radiation detection, stored thermal energy, tree trimming, peanut roasting and nuclear propulsion for an outer solar system orbiter.

“Beyond the technical side of engineering, this experience provides students with the teamwork, communication and project management skills that potential employers are looking for,” Ashford said.