NEWS

Want to learn how to predict a traded player’s impact on his new Major League team or learn about the composition of nearby stars? The Louisiana Tech University College of Engineering and Science (COES) is hosting the 2024 Design and Research Conference on May 9 and 10, and it is free and open to students, faculty, staff, alumni and the public.

The two-day conference is held annually in the Integrated Engineering and Science Building (IESB). The first day of this event showcases our students’ innovative work from their first year through graduation and serves as a crucial culmination of the “Living with the Lab,” “Living with Cyber” and “First-Year Physics Lab” programs for first-year engineering, computer science, and physics students.

The First-Year Projects Showcase will kick off the event on Thursday night. Beginning at 6 p.m., the public will have the chance to talk to teams of first-year engineering and computer science students about the prototypes they’ve developed this year and learn how these projects address the needs of the marketplace and the process of building them. Attendees can experience the culmination of the First-Year Physics Lab as two groups present computer simulations: one offers a microscopic view into what’s happening inside a magnet and one will present the first step in creating CGI characters and their rotations in space.

On May 10, starting at 1 p.m., seniors from all engineering and science majors will present their final-year prototypes and research and discuss how their projects could advance research and operational processes within their fields or offer improvements to existing products on the market.

“This event highlights the hard work and creativity of our students and emphasizes the impact their research and development efforts have on both a local and global scale,” said Dr. Collin Wick, dean of the COES. “Our students start addressing the challenges of the workforce from their first year. I’m grateful to our faculty and industry sponsors who work closely with these students to ensure they get the best possible educational experience. Without their commitment, our students would not have these kinds of practical opportunities.”

Dr. Heath Tims, associate dean of undergraduate studies for the COES, added, “From groundbreaking first-year projects to sophisticated senior research, our students demonstrate remarkable ingenuity. This conference is a fantastic opportunity for the public to witness the future of engineering and science right here. Faculty and staff across the College help make that happen.”

Following the conference on May 10, the College will host the Order of the Engineer ceremony, where new graduates will be inducted.

For more details about the 2024 Design and Research Conference and to learn about some of the featured projects, please visit our website at https://coes.latech.edu/2024-design-and-research-conference/.

About the College of Engineering and Science:

The College of Engineering and Science at Louisiana Tech University is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and a commitment to fostering innovation and leadership in engineering and science education. Home to thirteen engineering and science majors, the COES integrates unique curricula that emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration and project-based learning experiences. This approach ensures that students gain a deep theoretical understanding and practical skills that are applicable in real-world situations. By encouraging a blend of traditional studies with cutting-edge research and industry partnerships, COES prepares students to become pioneers in their fields, ready to solve complex challenges locally and globally.