Spring Applied Project

Earn applied learning credit towards graduation by continuing your team’s big idea into the spring semester in an applied project. Build your ideas into a fully working prototype in the lab and deliver your solution to customers. Then pitch your product at our Koch Innovation Challenge competition.

Enroll Now Project Innovation Hub Workshops Koch Innovation Challenge

Students build with hand tools at a workbench.

Enroll in a Spring Applied Project

Enroll in one of the following 1-credit hour applied project options:

ENGR 102B Entrepreneurship & Innovation Applied Project
ENGR 102C Service Learning Applied Project
(prerequisite of the fall SDX course, FYAP 102A)

Past Applied Projects

These product ideas all came from the fall FYS course and were turned into applied products and pitched at the Koch Innovation Challenge:

Parking assistant app that uses machine learning to help drivers quickly locate an open parking spot on campus
Clip-on gauge to detect water levels for the visually impaired in cups and cooking pots
Wearable camera that turns color into sounds for the visually impaired
Bottom-loaded trashcan that simplifies the process of taking out the trash and changing bags
Portable solar power bank solution for remote areas and camp grounds
Clickable, easy to hold device to make changing the tiny batteries in hearing aids easier for the elderly
Customizable pillow with air chambers that helps reduce sleep discomfort
and many more!

See More Koch Challenge Winners

Applied Project Options

Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Students who select this track will learn more about product design and development, patents, and getting their product to market. Students will work in the lab to produce their working product and will participate in the Koch Innovation Challenge. Counts towards an Applied Learning Experience credit and for Engineering+ Entrepreneurship and Innovation credit.

Elementary school robotics team picture.

Service Learning

Students can directly serve the community by completing a project for K-12 schools, a local non-profits, or for government organizations (city, police, parks, etc.). Through this experience, students develop professionalism and a practical perspective by connecting the classroom to community. May participate in the Koch Innovation Challenge. Counts towards an Applied Learning Experience credit and for Engineering+ Service Learning credit.

Students holding banners that say Pitch, Create, Collaborate

More Options Coming Soon!

Accessible Design
Environmental Sustainability
Undergraduate Research
Industry Connection
Leadership Challenge

Students getting assistance on programming a robot.

Prototype Creation

Students have access to the Project Innovation Hub, a 4,000 square foot lab space dedicated to teaching students how to build their ideas. It contains a fabrication lab, 3D printing hub, and electronics hub. Free interactive training workshops are offered on dozens of equipment and processes.

Project Innovation Hub

Tool Training Workshops

What Students Say

"I enjoyed the project because it was something I have never seen before in a class. I am taking business classes and love the idea of creating something new."

"I loved getting to make my teams idea actually come to life! In past classes, you get to come up with the idea but never make it. I found that extremely satisfying, especially because our prototype was so successful."

"I really enjoyed being able to work with others. It was also satisfying to brainstorm a product and physically manifest it."

"The tool training workshops were awesome! They were organized and very well put together. I never felt like I had to go, once I went to the first one, I wanted to go to the rest."

"I felt great about the tool training workshops. I was satisfied because it was interesting, and it helped me learn some new things. Personally, I have never used any of these tools before so it was cool to see people show me how it works and then use it myself."