Student Design And Research
What Is Student Design and Research?
Project-based learning through hands-on projects gives students a substantial understanding of their field and helps them acquire highly sought-after workplace skills like collaboration, communication and complex problem-solving.
During their senior year, students from the college of engineering and science participate in a capstone project to gain hands-on experience in applying engineering and science principles. Students organize into interdisciplinary teams to complete comprehensive projects in which they can apply the theoretical basis from their field.
Capstone projects simulate a real-world work environment in a variety of engineering and science fields. The students apply theory, think creatively and develop practical skills such as teamwork, professionalism, and leadership.
Project-based capstone projects...
- Teaches interdisciplinary teamwork
- Applies learned engineering and science skills and knowledge
- Shows how engineering, science, and business interact in professional environments
- Creates better engineers and scientists, ready for work and graduate school
- Encourages future research and innovation
- Makes science and engineering fun
as part of their capstone experience, students...
- Participate in team goal setting
- Develop a plan to attain goals
- Conduct research
- Develop leadership by leading their own teams
- Understand team interdependencies
- Develop a winning attitude
Student Design and Research Showcase
Student design and research projects culminate with the Northrop Grumman Engineering & Science Student Design Showcase at Florida Tech, an annual event during which student teams present their work and field questions from their peers, faculty members, industry professionals and local leaders.
In 2009, a $1 million endowment gift from Northrop Grumman Corporation provided ongoing support for Florida Tech students’ work. Sponsorships from other local and national companies also assist. These gifts reflect a commitment to boosting interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs and the value of learning beyond the classroom.
Who Can Present?
All Florida Tech undergraduate projects are eligible to participate and compete in the NGC Student Design Showcase. Projects must be completed entirely by undergraduate students, with faculty, graduate students, and others limited strictly to advisory roles.
Information for Students
Important Dates & Deadlines (For Projects Utilizing L3HSDC Space)
| Project Registration Begin Date | Rolling |
|---|---|
| Project Registration End Date | Rolling |
| Faculty Budget Report Due | September 22nd, 2024 |
| Safety Plan/ Risk Assessment Plan* | September 30th, 2024 |
| Check in at Design Facilities: L3HSDC** | September 22nd, 2024- October 6th, 2024 |
| First Day to Submit Purchase Requisitions*** | September 23th, 2024 |
| Last Day to Submit Purchase Requisitions | April 7th, 2025 |
| L3HSDC Work-A-Thon 1 | March 24th - March 30th |
| L3HSDC Work-A-Thon 2 |
April 18th - April 21st at Noon |
| Last Day to work on your project (at COES facilities) | April 21st, 2025 at Noon |
| L3HSDC Facility Clean-Up | April 21, 2025 - May 2, 2025 |
| Project Deliverable Handover and Check Out | May 2nd, 2025 |
* These are living documents that will be updated throughout the capstone year, but initial submission is due on or before September 22nd, 2025
**Teams that have not checked in by October 6th may have their space at the L3HSDC forfeited to another team
*** Students will not be able to submit purchase requisitions or start their projects until the following forms have been completed: Project Registration, Project Safety Plan, Project Risk Assessment, Faculty Budget Report
All other purchase requests should be from professors using the Adviser Project Funding Application
Important Dates & Deadlines (For Projects Not Using L3HSDC Funding and Not using L3HSDC Space)
Projects that fall under this category will only need to follow deadlines for Spring Showcase 2025, which can be found below.
SPRING SHOWCASE 2025 DEADLINES
| Showcase Registration | May 20th 2024- February 16th, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Poster/ Virtual Showcase Uploads | April 18th, 2025 |
| Exhibit Requirements and Exhibit Safety Plan Submission | April 18th, 2025 |
| Exhibit Set-Up | April 23rd, 2025 |
| Exhibit Inspection | April 24th, 2025 |
| Northrop Grumman Student Design Showcase | April 25th, 2025 |
| Discovery Day and Exhibit Take Down | April 26th, 2025 |
No late submissions or corrections will be accepted after the deadline. The deadlines are there to ensure that everything is proper on showcase day. All deadlines listed above are firm.
- Standard setup space for all projects will be one 4ft by2ft table and 1 poster hangers, please complete the exhibit requirements document if your exhibit includes fluids, live animals, public interaction, demonstrations, or requires additional space, or electrical outlets
- Any special exhibit requirements need to be put in the exhibits requirement document
- The poster templates will be distributed to all the teams. Please follow all the guidelines listed in the template.
- Any documents not following the proper template will be rejected.
- If you require any assistance or have any queries, please contact the Office of Student Projects at the L3HSDC.
- For more information about the showcase please visit: Student Design Website
Showcase Submissions for Students:
1. Sign Up for Showcase: HERE by February 16th 2025
2. Upload Poster: HERE by April 18th 2025
3. Upload Online E-Book: Here by April 18th 2025
4. Exhibit/ Safety Requirements (Not Needed for Poster Only Projects) HERE by April 18th 2025
Showcase Schedule April 25th 2025 (Thursday)
- Project Move-In: 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Checking Posters: 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Showcase Schedule April 25th 2025 (Friday)
- Opening: Starts at 8:30 AM
- Judging: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Engage in the evaluation of all participating projects.
- Judging Cutoff: 3:00 PM. Judging scores must be submitted before that.
- Leaving Clemente to Gleason: 3:45 PM – 4:00 PM. Transition period for moving to the Gleason Performing Arts Center for the award ceremony.
- Award Ceremony (Gleason): 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Announcement and celebration of the winners.
- Afterparty (Crawford Greens): 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. An informal gathering to close out the event.
Showcase Schedule April 26th 2025 (Saturday)
- Opening: Starts at 10:00 AM
- Open to Public: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Closing : 3:00 PM (Project can be started to removed starting 2:00 PM)
JUDGING CRITERIA
Engineering Criteria (80-Points Total)
Project Definition: The team/individual defines the overall problem, and the need for the problem to be solved. The presenter was able to explain the engineering, science or technical approach used for the project. (10 Points) 12.5%
Requirements: The team/ Individual has a proper set of requirements that are quantitative, measurable, and rational (10 Points) 12.5 %
Overall Presentation: Students are able to give a cohesive oral presentation of their project. The poster tells a story, is clean, and easily readable. Additional props on display have a reason and are used to better explain details of the project. Students are able to field questions and give adequate response and reason. (15 Points) 18.75%
Classroom Knowledge: The team effectively presented the use of knowledge from the classroom to solve their given problem. Students can describe specific classes from their curriculum that they used to solve the problem (15 Points) 18.75%
Engineering/ Scientific Design Principle: The team/ individual was able to identify alternatives and use engineering design/ scientific methods and principles to solve their problem. Students were able to use proper analysis techniques to solve their problem. (20 Points) 25%
Team/ Project Management: The design was successfully completed in a given time frame and met milestones. Multi-year projects have documented and prepared the project for future research. The team responsibly used resources provided and money (5 Points) 6.25%
Project Impact: The students are able to demonstrate an understanding of the impact their project has on their field and/or in society (5 Points) 6.25%
Science Criteria (60 Points)
Statement of Problem: Is the problem well defined? Although there are many ways to state the problem (in abstract, or in title, or in introduction, etc.), is the problem ultimately stated clearly? Is the presented research concise and to the point? Is there evidence of knowledge gained? (10 Points) 16.67%
Validity of Methodology & Conclusion: Are the conclusions and/or results clear? Are they supported by the research content of the poster? Is the method sound? Are there any limitations and assumptions in reaching stated conclusions and/or results? Did the poster tell a complete story? (15 Points) 25%
Overall Presentation: Students are able to give a cohesive oral presentation of their project. The poster tells a story, is clean, and easily readable. Additional props on display have a reason and are used to better explain details of the project. Students are able to field questions and give adequate response and reason. (15 Points) 25%
Classroom Knowledge: The team effectively presented the use of knowledge from the classroom to solve their given problem. Students can describe specific classes from their curriculum that they used to solve the problem (15 Points) 25%
Project Impact: The students are able to demonstrate an understanding of the impact their project has on their field and/or in society (5 Points) 8.34%
Student Design and Research at Florida Tech would like to thank our generous sponsors for donating their time, money, effort and resources towards our relentless pursuit of greatness