Bozeman Magazine

Montana State University engineering students will showcase their senior projects on Thursday, May 4, in Norm Asbjornson Hall on campus. The all-ages event is free and open to the public.

Roughly 90 teams comprising a total of 300 students will display their projects between 8 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Projects will be displayed in two-hour blocks with 15-minute breaks for teams to set up and take down: 8-10 a.m., 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., 12:30-2:30 p.m. and 2:45-4:45 p.m.

The biannual Design Fair is a chance for MSU students and members of the public to see the final products of the capstone projects that all seniors in MSU’s Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering complete as a requirement to earning their degrees. The students work in teams on projects sponsored primarily by private industry as well as by MSU faculty who use the outcomes to support academic research.

According to Craig Shankwitz, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, the success of the capstone projects relies on project sponsors within and beyond the MSU community. Past projects have included the design of custom research equipment for MSU faculty and the design and construction of products, equipment and manufacturing systems for Montana companies. By coming up with real-world solutions, students gain valuable hands-on experience, explore meaningful career possibilities and develop professional skills.

More information about capstone projects, including about how to sponsor one, can be found at coe.montana.edu/capstone.